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Microfiche 

Series. 


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CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historicai  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historlques 


1981 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibiiographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographiually  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


□ 


D 


D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couvarture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverttjre  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicdlie 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  blackV 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bieue  ou  noire) 


j      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  materia!/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  ds  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  ce^'taines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
iors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


L'institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilieur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6X6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
poinv  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

n    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdos  et/ou  pellicul6es 

r~~>   Pages  dis*-  floured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


Pages  ddcolor6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqui^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tsch^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  fndgale  de  rimpression 

Includes  supplementary  materi* 
Comprend  du  matdriel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I     1  Pages  detached/ 

r~7  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  materia!/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


0 


Pageii  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partielloment 
obscurcies  par  jn  feuilSet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film^es  6  nouveau  de  facon  6 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


Irregular  pagination:   [1[  -8,6  -  357  p. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  esi  .Mmii  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


SOX 


y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


n 

32X 


Ths  ccpv  filmed  hsrs  hss  been  roproducsd  thsnks 
to  the  generosity  of: 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reoroduit  grflce  A  la 
g6n6ro8it6  de: 


University  of  Saslcatchewan 
Saslcatoon 


University  of  Saskatchewan 
Saskatoon 


The  images  appearing  here  ere  the  best  quality 
pocsible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  piper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printad  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  c^ver  whon  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6x6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet^  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  sn 
papier  est  imprim^e  sort  filmds  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  er  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidro  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^-(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  •"►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  f  tc,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  rat''^''  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  'jne  sxpcsura  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
rbquired.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmto  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lofsque  Se  document  est  trop  grand  pour  etre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


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THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE; 


OB, 


A  Thousand  Years  of  the  Old  Northmen's  Home.     874-1874. 


aOUAUQ  HVO, 


By  rev.  p.  C.  HEADLEY, 

Author  op  "  Lifk  of  thk  Eupkess  Josephine,"  &o. 


U 


^\VERS/r 


BOSTON : 
LEE  AND  SHEPARD,   PU%LISH§g§|^^joON 

NEW  YORK:  >-  -1^-4, 

CHARLES  T.  DILLINGHABOsL/^*^  TCHt^f 


t^% 


1  1975 


7<^353A 


Ill 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1874,  by 

Rev.  p.  C.  HEADIiEY, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


I* 

si 


m 


Boston: 

Stkreotyped  and  Printed  bt 

Band,  Aveby,  &  Co. 


TO 


DWIGHT     CHESTER,    ESQ.. 

OF  MKWTON,  MASS., 

CTMa  Volume  (»  IngcrifieU, 

AS  m   MEMOnr  OF  MANV  YKARS  OP  p.k^sanT  BU8IKE8S 

INXEKCOURSE,   WHICH  HAV«   I.^USTHATKI,  Z 

HIGH   CHARACTER   IN   ALL  THK 

RELATIONS  OF'  LIFE, 


BY    THE    AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


This  volume  was  suggested  by  a  contribution  to  *'  Tlie 
Corahill  Magazine  "  upon  Iceland,  in  connection  with  the 
then  approaching  Millennial  Jubilee. 

In  seeking  historical  light  upon  a  subject  respecting 
which  the  writer  confesses  he  was  m  the  dark,  very  few 
works  could  be  found  outside  of  our  largest  libraries ;  and 
those,  were  imported  books. 

It  was  the  first  thought  to  write  a  small  volume  for 
young  people  especially,  and  the  preparation  of  it  was 
commenced.  But  the  field  of  history  opened  so  rich  in 
material,  that  the  work  grew  to  its  present  size  and  st3'le, 
instead  of  the  juvenile  narrative  proposed.  And  if  the 
reader  nnds,  in  the  pages  of  these  annals,  a  tithe  of  the 
fascinating  interest  afforded  in  gathering  the  fa  jts,  nothing 
more,  in  this  regard,  could  be  desired. 

Historical  accuracy  has  been  kept  constantly  in  view, 
with  no  other  additions  to  authentic  records  than  supply- 
ing the  natural  links,  necessary  to  make  the  proper  con- 
nections, and  give  to  skeleton  outline  lifelike  form. 

In  historical  fragments  reaching  so  far  back,  and  con- 
cerning a  country  so  remote,  there  will  necessarily  be 
some  unsettled  and  disputed  points.  When  these  have 
been  met,  the  view  or  statement  apparently  the  most  in 
hariTYony  with  known  facts  has  been  accepted.    And  it 

6 


iSi 


PREFACE. 


I  I J 


is  to  be  borne  in  mind,  in  reading  the  Journals  of  tourists, 
that  in  few  countries  are  tlie  landscape- views,  and  the 
enthusiasm  of  travellers,  more  affected  by  the  conditions 
of  the  weather  than  in  Iceland.  Consequently,  descrip- 
tions will  widely  differ ;  and  a  superficial  knowledge  of 
a  people  whose  external  life  is  sometimes  unattractive 
reveals  itself  in  unjust  criticisms. 

Iceland  is  an  exhaustless  study ;  and  no  *'  flying  '.I'sit," 
or  brief  reading,  will  give  any  proper  estimate  of  it  and 
its  inhabitants.  The  authorities  consulted  are,  Baronet 
Mackenzie's  Journal,  a  remarkably  clear  and  appre- 
ciative volume ;  Prof.  Baring-Gould's  narrative,  very 
readable,  and  finely  illustrated ;  the  Journals  of  Com- 
mander Forbes,  R.  N.,  and  Sir  W.  J.  Hooker,  both  valua- 
ble narratives  of  personal  observation ;  Pliny  Miles' s  chatty 
pages,  originally  published  in  England  ;  Lord  Dufferin's  in- 
teresting Letters  from  High  Latitudes  ;  the  standard  work 
of  that  eminent  jurist  and  diplomatist,  Henry  Wheaton, 
LL.D. ;  the  Journal  of  Rev.  E.  Henderson,  LL.D.,  of 
Edinburgh ;  and  Northern  Antiquities,  by  Bishop  Percy. 

To  avoid  any  misunderstanding,  it  is  proper  to  add, 
that  not  until  the  manuscript  was  in  the  hands  of  the  pub- 
lishers, was  our  attention  directed  to  a  work  for  young 
people,  entitled,  "  Off  for  the  Geysers ; "  whose  sketches 
were  evidently  substantially  from  the  grett  work  of  Baring- 
Gould. 

For  the  account  of  the  Millennial  Jubilee,  celebrated 
early  in  August  last,  Araerica  is  indebted  mainly  to  Bay- 
ard Taylor's  foreign  correspondence  of  "  The  New- York 
Tribune,"  and  "The  New- York  Herald's"  letters  from 
Dr.  Hayes,  which  were  also  very  valuable,  and  marked  espe- 
cially by  accurate  statements.  *'The  Nation,"  with  its 
usual  reliability,  gave,  in  advance  of  the  Jubilee,  a  correct 
summary  of  the  new  Icelandic  Constitution.     "  Harper's 


PREFACE. 


Magazine"  contained  the  first  and  only  illustrated  sketches 
ly  an  American,  so  far  as  we  know,  of  the  island.  We 
selected  from  Longfellow's  Poetry  of  Europe,  the  fine 
translation  of  the  *'  Deatb-Song  of  Regner." 

The  articles  of  any  length  besides,  in  the  periodical 
press,  to  which  attention  was  called,  were,  an  editorial  of 
great  interest  in  "  The  New- York  Evening  Post ; "  an  able 
letter  from  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  at 
Copenhagen,  to  "The  New- York  Evangelist;"  and  the 
republication,  in  part,  by  "The  Boston  Transcript,"  of 
Mr.  Byrce's  finished  contribution  to  "The  Cornhill  Maga- 
zine," Impressions  of  Iceland. 

Very  recently,  we  have  seen  an  interesting  statement  of 
the  evidence  of  the  Norse  discovery  of  America,  entitled, 
"  America  not  discovered  by  Columbus,"  from  the  pen  of 
Prof.  R.  B.  Anderson  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin ; 
with  whom  we  have  had  important  correspondence. 

We  are  also  under  obligations  to  Prof.  Jno  Bjarnason 
of  Luther  College,  Decorah,  Iowa,  a  native  Icelander,  for 
fresh  facts  touching  his  island  home. 

To  Willard  Small,  Esq.,  of  the  literary  force  of  Messrs. 
Lee  &  Shepard,  more  is  due  than  to  the  pen  or  voice  of 
any  other  person.  His  familiarity  with  Norse  literature 
and  history,  and  genial  freedom  in  the  communication  of 
his  accurate  information,  has  been  of  the  highest  value. 

We  must  acknowledge  our  dependence,  for  books  of 
reference,  upon  the  Boston  Public  Library,  whose  glory 
is  second  only  to  that  of  her  free  schools ;  and  also  to 
bhe  accomplished  and  obliging  librarian  of  the  Boston 
Athenaeum. 

In  this  connection  we  may  add,  that  the  records  we 
have  of  Iceland  clearly  show,  that,  could  the  country  and 
its  population  have  made  it  possible,  Iceland  would  ha^^e 
more  nearly  resembled  our  own  in  general  culture,  than 


MMMMmnaviMr 


8 


PREFACE. 


any  other  in  Europe  or  in  the  >roild  ;  at  least,  out  cf 
England.  There  would  have  been  institutions  correspond- 
ing to  our  own  public  schools,  and  other  educational 
opportunities  throughout  our  growing  sisterhood  of  States. 

The  tales  from  the  Sagas,  of  which  the  outline  of 
Grettir's  romantic  and  tragic  career  is  the  principal  one, 
were  taken,  with  the  exception  of  a  portion  of  Sir  Walter 
Scott's  earliest  translation,  and  a  few  other  extracts,  from 
the  free  English  readings  of  Baring-Gould  ;  condensed,  as 
far  as  practicable,  and  retaining  the  graphic  power  of  the 
stories.  On  account  of  this  necessary  contraction,  and 
not  knowing,  in  nearly  all  cases,  who  was  the  original 
translator,  quotation-marki,  as  a  rule,  have  been  omitted. 

This  volume  is  intended  to  cover  the;  whole  field  of  Ice- 
landic history.  Whatever  new  and  interesting  details 
time  for  a  more  exhaustive  and  elaborate  history  might 
have  supplied,  the  author  may  hope,  at  least,  as  the  first 
American  bock,  excepting  a  reprint,  on  this  distant,  yet 
grand  old  Iceland,  it  may  to  some  extent  deepen  the 
interest  in  the  people,  and  add  to  the  popular  knowledge 
of  a  country  so  worthy  of  a  better  acquaintance. 

Since  the  first  edition  went  to  press,  we  have  seen 
sketches  by  Mr.  Waller,  an  English  artist,  who  spent  a 
few  weeks  in  the  soathern  part  of  Iceland  to  pencil  the 
scenery  connected  with  the  Burnt-Najal.  While  interest- 
ing passages  occur,  as  a  whole  this  small  volume,  by  itself, 
is  a  caricature  of  the  people  generally. 

In  the  careful  revision  of  this  work,  completeness  in 
the  order  of  events  and  places,  and  items  of  interest  also, 
have  been  added  in  margins  and  In  the  supplemental 
chapter,  making  the  history  as  full  and  authentic  aa 
accessible  autlvorities  render  it  possible. 


OOIJ^TEIJ^TS. 


CHAPTER  T,  PACOi 

The  Northflrn  Sea-Bovers  in  the  Land  of  the  Moor  — The  First 
Battle.  — The  Terror  of  Europe. —Their  Arms. —Their  Tri- 
umphs.—Their  Passion  for  Eloody  Eucountera. — They  dis- 
cover Iceland    ...........9 

CHAPTER  n. 

The  Northman's  Contempt  of  Death. — Love  of  Ajms.— 
National  Games.— National  Worship. — The  Ctods.  —  Moral 
Precepts. —The  Historical  Odin 18 

CHAPTER  in. 

Who  lived  in  Northern  Europe  before  the  Goths  ? — Lost  History. 
—A  Hundred  Languages.  — Five  a  Majority.  —The  Finns  and 
Lapps 28 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Two  Thousand  Years  Ago.  —  The  Gift  of  Fire.  —  Tlie  Lava- 
Island.— The  Green  Margins  and  Valleys.  —Traveller's  Im- 
pressions        .    31 

CHAPTER  V. 

Emigration  to  Iceland. — Farewell  Festivals. —Rafna  Floke.— 
A  Thousand  l^ears  Ago 84 

CHAPTER  VL 

Pllgrin;  N bbles  from  Norway.  —  Harald's  Trice,  Four  Ounces  of 
Silver.  —  No  Indians  to  flght.  —  They  hava  Conflicts.  —  A 
Eepublic  made  to  Order.  —  Its  Constitution.  — The  Althing.  — 
The  First  Chief  Magistrate .    39 

CHAPTER  vn. 

The  Magnificent  CapitoL  —  Built  when  the  Island  was  made.  — 
The  National  Court  —  Tents  and  Booths.  —  The  Incendiary.  — 
His  Escape 40 


6 


CONTENTS. 


11 


ii 


CHAPTER  Vm. 

Embarking  for  Beykjavik.  —  Copenhagen.  —  Rocky  Isles.  —  The 
Needles  and  Arch  of  Portland  Head.  —  Westman  Islands.  — 
Columbus  visited  theia. — Bird-Lamps. — First  Glimpses. — 
Impressiire  Scenes    ....••••..49 

CHAPTER  IX. 

[celanders  discover  Greenland  and  America.  —  The  Wonderful 
History.  —  Mysterious  Disappearance.  — The  First  Yankee  born 
in  Americ<»,  nearly  Nine  Hundred  Years  Ago. — Thorfinn 
returns  to  Iceland. —Death. — The  Widow  a  Pilgrim  and 
Recluse 08 

CHAPTER  X 

The  Sea-Rovers'  Ships.  —An  Illustrious  Emigrant.  —Interesting 
Ceremonies. — Tunnlang  and  the  Poet  Rafn. — A  True  Love- 
Story  of  the  Early  Period.  —The  Beautiful  Helga.  —An  An- 
cient Poet-Tjauxeate. — He  wins  the  Hand  of  Helga. — A 
Gloomy  Festival.— A  Duel.— A  Traitor. —The  Sad  Ending 
of  a  Domestic  Tragedy  in  High  Life 66 

CHAPTER  XL 

A  Gigantic  Work.  — Thorwaldsen's  Funrral.— Common  Phrases. 
—  Some  Words.  —Jack  and  JUL  —  Old  Nick      ....    74 

CHAPTER  Xn. 

The  Icelander's  Home.  —  Dinner  at  Vidoe.  —  Occupations.  — 
Dress.  —  Education.  —  Schools.  —  Pastoral  Care.  —  Sabbath 
Scenes 80 

CHAPTER  Xm. 

An  Icelandic  Funeral. — A  Wedding.  —  Kissing. — Peril  of  an 
Ignorant  Bride.  —  The  Parish  Church  Scene.  —  Religious  Char- 
acter.—Parish  Register. —Yule    91 

CHAPTER  XrV. 

Phenomena  of  the  Heavens.  —  Mock  Suns. — Storm  Rings.— 
Aurora.  —  Meteors.  —  Tempests.  —  Icelander's  Wealth.  —  Do- 
mestic Animals.  —  Swans  and  Ravens.  —  The  Eider-Duck  and 
its  Down.  — The  Sacred  Bird.  —  Reindeer.  — Salmon-Festival. 
•>  Sheep-Gathering 100 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Fairy-Land.  —  Witchcraft  —  Berkserkers.  —  Snpe<^titionti  of 
Domestic  Life.  —  Signs  and  Omens.  —  A  Ghostly  Saga     .       .  110 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVL 

Mdsfell.  —The  Ride  from  Reykjavik  —Yankee  Doodle.— Beau- 
tiful Midnight-Scene.  —  Sontarek,  or  Son's  Loss .       .       .       . 


123 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

Grettir,  the  Hero  and  Outlaw  of  Iceland.  —  Hia  Birthplace.  — 
On  the  Sea.  —  The  Red  Rovers     . 133 

CHAPTER  XVm. 

Sons  of  an  Icelandic  Chief  In  Norway.— Grettir  stranded  near 
their  Winter  Home.  —  He  swims  the  Fiord.  — Burning  of  the 
Hostel.  —  Grettir  arrested. — The  Trial  by  Burning  Plough- 
shares.-Returns  to  Iceland.— His  Mother  .       .       .163 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Hftunted  Sheepfolds.  — Strange  Shepherd.  —  His  Fate.  —  Grettir 
succeeds  H'm.  — Terrible  Scenes. — Final  Struggle. — The  Vam- 
pire's Grave 106 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Grettir,  In  Despair,  seeks  Counsel. —His  Last  Refuge.— Out- 
law's Isle.  —Solitary  life.  —  Hunted  there  and  killed      .       .  180 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

The  Christian  Era  in  Iceland  —  The  Gathering  at  Thingvalla.  — 
The  High  Debate. — The  Thunder  of  a  Convulsion. —The 
Great  Decision  —  Golden  Age.  —  Skalds.  —  An  Icelandic  Skald 
at  Canute's  Court. — Written  Constitution. — A  Challenge. — 
Nithing 208 

CHAPTER  XXn. 

The  Northmen's  Oldest  Book  of  History.  —  Genius  in  Iceland.  — 
The  Illustrious  Trio.  —First  Printing-Piosa.  -First  School.  — 
Bill  of  Students'  Fare.  —  Study  of  Poetry.  —  Its  Fuoled  Origin  216 

CHAPTER  XXm. 

Music.  —  Education  in  Common  Life.  —  Preamble  of  Public 
Address.  —  Modern  Authors.  —  ihe  Txird's  Prayer  in  1686  and 
in  1874.  —  National  Suicide. — Th**  Reformation  .       .       .       .328 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

An  Excursion  to  the  Guldbringb  Syssel,  or  Goldbringing 
District.  —  The  Outfit.  —  Besses  tad.  —  Boiliug  Springs,  —  An 
Unexplained  Wonder.  —  Guldbringb  Syssel.  —  Stappen.  — 
Reykholt.— Scenes  along  Paths  of  Travel 238 


8 


CONTENTS. 


11 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Ejccnrsions  among  the  Mountains,  and  along  the  Coast.  — The 
Geyser.  —  Uncomplaining  Resignation.  —  The  Strokr       .       .  249 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Mount  Hecla. — Magnificent  View  from  its  Top. — Sturtshellir 
Cavern.  — Its  "Wild  Mythology  and  Traditions.  —  Bulandshofdi 
Pass.  —  Mud  Caldron.  —  Dettif  os^  Falls.  —  Eagle  -  Tarns.  -  - 
Orettis  Tak.  — Thurrisdale.  —  Fording  Rivers.  —  Dog-Touraa- 
ment— Flora 256 

CHAPTER  XXVn. 

Calamities.  —  Plague.  —  Black-Death.  —  Famine.  —  Pirates.  — 
Volcanoes  and  Earthquakes. — Effect  on  the  Condition  and 
Character  of  the  People.  —Discouragement  and  Decline. —  A 
Revolution. — A  Petitioner 265 

CHAPTER  XXVin. 

The  Gathering  to  the  Millennial  Juhilee.  —  The  Scenes  in  the 
Bay,  and  Streets  of  the  Capital.  — The  King's  Arrival.  —  Ban- 
quet. —  People's  Festival.  —  The  Visit  to  ThingvaUa.  —  A 
Grand  Occasion.  —  Speeches. — Poetry. — New  Ensign. — The 
Present  and  Future  of  Iceland 277 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

The  Millennial  at  the  West.  —  Norsemen  in  Prsdrie-Land.— First 
Icelandic  Service.  —  The  Sermon.  —  Speeches.  —  Banners. — My 
Native  Land 813 

SUPPLEMEITTAL  CHAPTER. 

Changes  in  Customs  and  Peculiarities.  —  Different  Forms  and 
Pronunciationof  Words. —libraries  and  Newspapers  in  Ice- 
land. —  Sporting.  —  Modem  National  Sacred  Melodies 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


CHAPTER  I. 


The  Northern  Sea-Bovers  in  t'ne  Land  of  the  Moor. — The  First 
Battle.  —  The  Terror  of  Europ  e.  —  Their  Anna.  -  Their  Triumphs. 
—Their  Passion  for  Bloody  Encounters.  — They  discover  Iceland. 


"  O IGNAL-FIRES  on  the  hiUs  of  Carmona  I ''  This 
O  awakening  shout  from  the  lips  of  Bexir,  a 
veteran  Moorish  warrior,  rang  along  the  streets  of 
ancient  Cordova,  in  the  twilight  of  a  September  day, 
844.    The  alarm-bells  pealed  forth  the  call  to  arms. 

A  fleet  of  the  sea-rovers  of  the  north  had  made 
their  descent,  like  a  falling  thunderbolt,  upon  the 
coast  of  Spain.  They  swept  along  the  banks  of  the 
Tagus,  pillaging  the  unresisting  people,  paralyzed 
with  terror.  They  then  sailed  up  the  Guadalquiver, 
and  entered  beautiful  Seville,  whose  soldiers  soon 
retireii  before  their  foes,  who  to  their  excited  fancy, 
were  armed  magicians. 

Bexir,  at  King  Alderahman*s  command,  hastened 
preparations  to  meet  the  unknown  enemy.  With 
flashing  arms  and  armor,  his  columns  marched  to 
the  waiting  flotiUa.     With  a  favoring  wind,  they 


to 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


sailed  down  the  broad  current,  whose  banks  were 
green  with  richest  verdure,  and  fragrant  with  flow- 
ers and  fruits. 

The  Northmen,  from  the  valleys  near  arctic  frost, 
are  ready  to  receive  the  Arabian  conquerors  of  the 
warm,  rich  plains  of  the  south.  For  the  fiist  time 
the  fair-haired,  fresh-visaged  sea-rovers  of  Scandi- 
navia meet  the  swarthy,  turbaned  Moors  in  deadly 
combat.  Swords  and  lances  cross  ;  and  confronting 
eyes  gleam  with  the  passion  for  carnage,  inspired  by 
religious  frenzy. 

To  the  Northmen's  faith,  the  air  above  them  ia 
filled  with  the  shadowy  forms  of  Valkyrior,  the  vir- 
gins^ who,  in  the  palace  of  their  deity,  wait  on  de- 
parted heroes,  and  preside  over  battles.  They  turn 
the  tide  of  victory,  and  select  for  Odin  the  warriors 
who  are  to  be  slain.  The  devotees  of  Allah  and 
his  prophet  see,  in  the  skjr  arching  them,  the  "  dark- 
eyed  houris  waving  their  green  kerchiefs"  to  wel- 
come the  dauntless  heroes  to  the  paradise  of  sensual 
joys,  when  they  fall  upon  the  field  of  honor. 

But  no  decisive  victory  followed  the  terrific  battle. 
The  Norsemen  carried  away  spoils  and  captives,  and, 
unmolested,  descended  the  Guadalquiver  to  the  sea, 
their  boundless  home.  Writes  an  old  chronicler, 
"  Among  those  captives,  we  may  picture  many  a 
weeping  damsel,  who,  amidst  the  frozen  regions  of 
the  north,  would  long  sigh  in  vain  for  the  sunny 
plains  and  vine-covered  hiils  of  Andalusia." 

This  expedition  was  one  of  countless  similar  for- 
rays,  which  made  these  piratical  corsairs  from  North- 
ern, Europe  the  terror  of  a  continent.    They  knew 


THE  NORTHERN  SEA-ROVERS. 


11 


no  fear,  and  gloried  in  deeds  of  reckless  daring  and 
peril.  They  pillaged  Paris,  Bordeaux,  Orleans,  and 
nearly  every  other  city  of  France  and  adjacent  pro- 
vinces accessible  by  water;  also  the  borders  of 
En^'nd,  Scotland,  and  Ireland. 

They  would  suddenly  appear  before  a  town,  land, 
and  march  through  it  bearing  away  the  spoils,  then 
weigh  anchor,  and  disappear  with  their  booty.  Their 
galleys  cut  the  foam,  till  the  shadow  of  some  grim 
promontory,  guarding  the  entrance  to  a  rocky  isle, 
fell  upon  their  fluttering  canvas. 

Once  within  their  natural  Gibraltar,  they  could 
laugh,  over  their  foaming  goblets,  at  the  threatened 
revenge  of  plundered  nations.  They  also  haunted 
the  islands  north  and  west  of  Denmark,  which  was 
itself  the  earliest  home  of  the  most  sanguinary  free- 
booters. 

In  the  summer  of  860,  sixteen  years  after  the  bat- 
tle of  Camiciia,Naddodd,  a  famous  sea-rover,  spread 
his  sails  for  the  Faroe  Isles.  Suddenly  a  terrible 
gale  struck  the  brave  navigator's  vessel,  and  swept  it 
along  the  path  of  the  storm.  In  vain  the  helm  was 
grasped  by  a  strong,  untrembling  hand:  the  bark 
drifted  away  upon  unknown  waters. 

With  the  returning  calm  he  caught  sight  of  lefty 
summits,  and  sought  a  landing-place  among  the  foam- 
lashed  rocks  at  their  feet.  Ascending  a  height,  he 
gazed  upon  the  drear  landscape,  to  find  a  human 
form  or  habitation.  In  vain  his  anxious  eye  scanned 
the  horizon  of  snow  mantling  the  mountains,  and 
falling  down  their  rugged  sides  beyond  the  view. 
He  hastened  to  the  beach,  and,  re-embarking,  called 


I'    i 


19 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


i!t!l 


the  new  country  Snae-land,  or  Snow-land,  from  the 
most  striking  feature  of  the  solitude,  which,  by  acci- 
dent, he  had  discovered.     This  was  Iceland. 

Four  years  afterwards  Garder  Svarson,  a  Swed- 
ish sea-rover,  by  a  similar  experience  lost  his  way, 
and  sailed  to  and  around  the  same  strange,  wild 
land.  He  found,  with  delight,  green,  inviting  mar- 
gins by  the  inlets,  and  valleys  among  the  gloomy 
hills ;  and  named  the  country  after  himself,  Garder*s- 
holm,  or  Garder's  Isle.  There  were  no  spoils,  no 
strong  men  and  fair  women,  to  carry  away ;  and  he 
returned  to  Norway,  with  only  the  story  of  his  dis- 
covery. 

But  these  stem  Norsemen  had  both  the  savage 
and  the  tender  side  of  our  humanity,  which  are  put 
in  vivid  contrast  in  a  little  love-tragedy  composed 
over  a  thousand  years  ago.  It  is  translated  freely, 
in  lowing  English  rhyme ;  and  nothing  besides,  per- 
haps, in  the  same  compass,  contains  so  many  graphic 
pictures  of  old  Scandinavian  warrior-life,  as  the 


SONG  OP  BEGNER,   KING  OF  DENMARK. 

He  heard  that  Thora,  the  daughter  of  a  chieftain, 
was  held  in  captivity  by  an  enormous  serpent,  and 
resolved  to  deliver  her.  Clothing  himself  with 
shaggy  trousers,  so  that  the  serpent's  fangs  and  ven- 
om could  not  reach  his  flesh,  he  sought  and  saved 
her.  He  was  called,  ever  after,  Regner  Lodbrock,  oi 
Shaggy -Brogues,  Later,  when  upon  one  of  his  expe- 
ditions, he  was  captured,  and  thrown  into  a  dimgeon 
to  die  by  the  bite  of  serpents. 

We  introduce  the  story  by  giving  the  first  verse 


SONG  OF  REGNER. 


Id 


rom  the 
by  acci- 

k  Swed- 
lis  way, 
;e,  wild 
ng  mar- 
gloomy 
rarder*8- 
loils,  no 
and  he 
his  dis- 

savage 
are  put 
>mposed 
I  freely, 
les,  per- 
graphic 
the 


in  \hQ  original  language,  which  has  been  that  of  Ice- 
land for  a  thousand  years,  with  a  literal  translation. 


Hjugpim  vtfr  med  Hjorvl: 
Hitt  var  ei  fyrir  laungw, 
er  ^  Gautlandi  Gengtim 
at  Grafvitnis*  raordi; 
THa  fen  gum  ve'r  THorv, 
THadau  hotu  inik  fyrdar, 
tlia  er  h</npfi\  t  um  Jjagda'k, 
Lodbrok :  at  thvx  vigi 
STakk  ek  d  STordar-lykkju  J 
BTali  bjartra  mala. 


Hew'd  me  with  the  Hanger  I 
Hard  upon  the  time  'tvas, 
when  in  Gothlandia  Going 
to  Give  deatli  to  the  serpent, 
THen  obtained  we  THora, 
THence  have  warriors  called  ma 
the  Ling-eel  since  I  Laid  low, 
Ijodbrok :  at  that  carnage 
STuck  I  the  STealthy  uionster 
With  STeel  of  finest  temper. 


THE  DEATH-SONG  OF  REGNER  LODBROCK. 

We  smote  with  swords  ;  nor  long,  before 
In  arms  I  reached  the  Gothic  shore, 
To  work  the  loathly  serpent's  death. 
I  slew  the  reptile  of  the  heath ; 
My  prize  was  Thora ;  from  that  fight, 
'Mongst  warriors  am  I  Lodbrock  hight. 
I  pierced  the  monster's  scaly  side 
With  steel,  the  soldier's  wealth  and  pride. 

We  smote  with  swords ;  in  early  youth 
I  fought  by  Ery's  billowy  mouth. 
Where  high  the  echoing  basiiites  rung 
To  the  hard  javelin's  iron  tongue, 
The  wolf  and  golden-footed  bird 
Gleaned  plenteous  harvest  of  thfe  sword. 
Dark  grew  the  ocean's  swollen  water ; 
The  raven  waded  deep  in  slaughter. 

We  smote  with  swords ;  ere  twenty  yean 
Were  numbered,  in  the  din  of  spears 

•  Fsed  for  serpent, 
t  Ling-eel,  or  heath  atlder. 

I  Stord,  the  earth ;  lykkja,  a  clasp,  lock,  buckle;  hence  a  clasp  or 
ring  of  the  earth,  and,  figuratively,  a  serpent. 

a 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 

I  reared  my  armbd  hand,  and  spread 
The  tide  of  battle  fierce  and  red. 
Eight  earls  my  weighty  arm  subdued, 
Eastward  by  Dwina's  icy  flood; 
There  the  gaunt  falcon  lacked  not  food. 
The  sweat  of  death  distained  the  wave; 
The  army  tined  *  its  warriors  brave. 

We  smote  with  swords;  fierce  Hedin's  queen 
'Mid  the  hot  storm  of  war  was  seen, 
When  Helsing's  youth  to  Odin's  hall 
We  bade,  and  garred  her  prowess  fall. 
Our  vessels  ploughed  through  Ifa's  flood; 
The  arrows  stung;  the  stream  was  blood. 
Brands  grated  on  the  mail;  and  through 
Cleft  shields  the  death-fraught  lances  flew. 

We  smote  with  swords;  none  fled,  I  trow, 
Ere  on  the  masted  galley's  prow 
Bold  Herrand  fell;  no  fairer  earl 
Did  e'er  his  bellying  sail  unfurl 
On  winged  steeds,  that  spurn  the  main. 
Cleaving  the  seaf owl's  lonely  reign; 
No  lord  in  stourf  more  widely  feared 
To  distant  port  his  vessel  steered. 
That  glorious  chieftain's  glowing  heart 
In  fight  aye  sought  the  foremost  part. 

We  smote  with  swords;  in  fierce  affray 
The  wamors  cast  their  shields  away: 
By  rifling  steel  with  fury  driven 
Many  a  fearless  breast  was  riven: 
And,  'midst  the  din,  from  Skarpa's  rock 
Echoed  the  falchion's  sounding  shock. 
The  iron  orbs  with  blood  were  dyed, 
Ere  sunk  King  Rafen's  youthful  pride. 
Hot  streaming  from  each  valiant  head 
Sweat  on  coats  of  mail  was  shed 

•  Lost,    t  War. 


gw...miiii"iw?ytiii'-'.'  «iiiu«"»w) 


BONO  OF  REGNER. 


15 


Wo  smote  with  swords;  near  Inder's  shore 
A  sumptuous  meal  the  ravens  tore; 
No    carnage  lacked  to  glut  those  steeds 
On  which  the  sorcerer's  Vala  speeds. 
'Twas  hard  to  'scape  unharmed  that  day: 
When  peered  the  sun's  f^^^t  dawning  ray, 
Shafts  eaw  I  starting  from  the  string; 
The  bent  bow  made  the  metal  ring. 

We  smote  with  swords;  what  fairer  fate 
Can  e'er  the  sons  of  men  await, 
Than  long  amid  the  battle's  blast 
To  front  the  storm,  and  fall  at  last  ? 
Who  basely  shuns  the  gallant  strife 
Nathless  must  lose  his  dastard  life. 
When  waves  of  war  conflicting  roll, 
'Tis  hard  to  whet  the  coward  soul 
To  deeds  of  worth;  the  timid  heart 
Will  never  act  a  warrior's  part. 

We  smote  with  swords;  this  deem  I  right 
Youth  to  youth  in  sturdy  fight 
Each  his  meeting  falchion  wield; 
Thane  to  thane  should  never  yield. 
Such  was  aye  the  soldier's  boast, 
Firm  to  face  the  adverse  host. 
Boldest,  who  prize  fair  maidens'  love, 
Must  in  the  din  of  battle  move. 

We  smote  with  swords;  I  hold  that  all 
By  destiny  or  live  or  fall : 
Each  his  certain  hour  awaits; 
Few  can  'scape  the  ruling  Fates.  ^ 
When  I  scattered  slaughter  wide, 
And  launched  my  vessels  to  the  tide, 
I  deemed  not,  I,  that  Ella's  blade 
Was  doomed  at  last  to  bow  my  head; 
But  hewed  in  every  Scottish  bay 
Fresh  banquets  for  the  beasts  of  prey. 


I(: 


IC 


I!    'l! 

lllllli 

Si  I 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 

We  smote  with  swords;  my  parting  breath 
R(^joice8  in  the  panp  of  death. 
Where  dwells  fair  Haider's  father  dread, 
The  board  is  decked,  the  seats  are  spread  I 
In  Fioln'ir's  court,  with  costly  cheer, 
Soon  shall  I  quaff  the  foaming  beer, 
From  hollow  skulls  of  warriors  slain  1 
Heroes  ne'er  in  death  complain; 
To  Vider's  hall  I  will  not  bear 
The  dastard  words  of  weak  despair. 

We  smote  with  swords;  their  falchions  bright 

(If  well  they  kenned  their  father's  plight, 

How,  venom-filled,  a  viperous  brood 

Have  gnawed  his  iiesh,  and  lapped  his  blood} 

Thy  sons  would  grasp,  Aslauga  dear, 

And  vengeful  wake  the  battle  here. 

A  mother  to  my  bairns  I  gave 

Of  sterling  worth,  to  make  them  brave. 

We  gmote  with  swords;  cold  death  is  near, 
My  rights  are  passing  to  my  heir. 
Grim  stings  the  adder's  forked  daft; 
The  vipers  nestle  in  my  heart. 
But  soon,  I  wot,  shall  Vider's  wand 
Fixed  in  Ella's  bosom,  stand. 
My  youthful  sons  with  rage  will  swell, 
Listening  how  their  father  fell: 
Those  gallant  boys  in  peace  unbroken 
Will  never  rest,  till  I  be  wroken. 

We  smote  with  swords;  where  javelins  fly, 

Where  Ranees  meet,  and  warriors  die, 

Fifty  times  and  one  I  stood 

Foremost  on  the  field  of  blood. 

Full  yoimg  I  'gan  distain  my  sword, 

Nor  Soared  I  force  of  adverse  lord 

Nor  deemed  I  then  that  any  arm 

By  might  or  guile  could  work  me  harm. 


i'ln 


BONO  OF  REGNER. 

Me  to  their  feast  the  gods  must  call; 
The  brave  man  waila  not  o'er  his  fall. 

Cease,  my  strain !    I  hear  a  voice 
From  realms  where  martial  souls  rejoicej 
I  hear  the  maids  of  slaughter  call, 
Who  bid  me  hence  to  Odin's  hall: 
High  seated  in  their  blest  abodes 
I  soon  shall  quaff  the  drink  of  godg. 
The  hours  of  life  have  glided  by: 
I  fall;  but  smiling  shall  I  die. 


17 


illliiii; 


illii 


:^^!ii! 


CHAPTER    II. 

The  Nortlunan's  Contempt  of  Deith.  —  Love  of  Arms.  —  National 
Games.  —  National  Worship.  —  The  Gods.  —  Moral  Precepts.  — 
TJie  Historical  Odin. 

LAUGHING  shall  I  die,"  might  be  rendered 
this  last  plaintively  cheerful  note  of  Regner's 
dying  strain.  This  proud  defiance  of  "  the  last  ene- 
my "  was  the  boast  of  the  Northmen :  love  of  arms, 
and  Odin's  worship,  were  the  sources  of  this  scorn- 
ful indifference  to  suffering  and  death. 

The  martial  spirit,  and  preparation  for  warlike 
achievements,  were  cultivated  in  their  national 
games.  These  were  not  played  on  some  smooth 
common,  nor  upon  the  green  carpet  of  a  newly- 
mown  field,  amid  applauding  spectators.  The  very 
boys  swung  the  falchion  and  battle-axe  in  naked 
combat ;  they  wrestled  as  if  in  a  rage ;  were  pitted 
against  each  other,  in  making  frightful  leaps  over 
deep  chasms,  from  dizzy  cliffs ;  and  purposely  endured  j 
hunger  and  cold,  to  harden  their  bodies. 

Mothers,  many  of  whom  were  born  in  camps,  and  | 
all  of  them  in  the  sight  and  sound  of  arms,  taught 
their  sons  there  was  no  glory  like  that  of  the  suc- 
cessful warrior.     What  an  impression  upon  him  and  i 
his  companions  must  have  been  made  by  the  honors  | 
often  conferred  upon  a  boy  of  fifteen  j-^ears,  who  had 
shown  manly  prowess  I 

18 


LOVE  OF  ARMS. 


19 


Before  his  kindred  and  assembled  heroes,  a  chief 
presented  him  a  burnished  sword,  a  lance,  and  % 
buckler.  It  was  his  welcome  to  the  ranks  of  the 
braves. 

In  the  quiet  valleys,  and  on  the  shaded  slopes  of 
Scandinavian  lands,  rose  the  temples  of  their  prin- 
cipal deity,  Odin.  Not  only  did  animals  slain  for  sac- 
rifice lie  bleeding,  but  human  victims  stood  by  the 
altars  where  the  sacred  fire  was  burning.  The  conse- 
crated brazen  vessels  were  lying  befor'^  them,  the  lar- 
gest of  which  received  their  blood  as  it  followed  the 
burnished  knife.  The  priest  said  to  each  in  turn,  "  I 
devote  thee  to  Odin  ; "  or,  "  I  send  thee  to  Odin." 
The  flowing  life-current  was  then  sprinkled  upon 
the  altar,  the  temple,  the  grove,  and  the  people. 

The  victims  were  selected  from  captives  taken  in 
battle,  or  slaves  in  time  of  peace,  excepting  in  some 
i  great  emergency :  then  to  escape  from  dire  calam- 
1  ity,  or  aver*;  threatened  disaster,  offerings  were  taken 
from  families  of  the  nobility,  and  even  the  king  him- 
self was  sometimes  immolated.  At  the  grand  nine- 
days'  festival  in  the  magnificent  temple  at  Upsal, 
[nine  men,  each  day,  yielded  up  their  lives. 

The  Northmen  transferred  their  love  of  martial 
[gloiy  to  their  gods.  Odin  became  the  "  father  of 
(Slaughter,"  mingling  in  the  strife,  and  encoura- 
ging the  warriors,  while  his  Valkyrior  selected  for 
I  him  those  chosen  to  be  slain. 

The  contending  hosts  alike  invoked  his  aid,  con- 
isecrating  in  advance  a  certain  number  to  him,  which 
[he  was  to  designate,  and  welcome  to  Valhalla. 

Yet  they  called  him  their  creator  and  father.    No 


20 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


VM 


\M 


m 


greater  contrast  is  possible,  than  between  a  faith  so 
sanguinary  and  merciless,  and  that  of  the  founders 
of  New  England,  with  their  open  Bible,  and  "  free- 
dom to  worship  God." 

Frigga  was  the  wife  of  Odin. 

Thor,  who  was  the  original  deity  of  the  north, 
became  next  to  Odin  in  power,  and  sometimes  was 
called  his  son. 

The  badge  of  his  greatness  was  a  massive  mallet, 
which,  after  it  was  hurled  at  a  foe,  flew  back  again 
to  his  hand  armed  with  gauntlets.  He  wore  also,  a 
magic  girdle,  which  renewed  his  strength  whenever 
exhausted. 

We  have  an  outline  in  prose  from  the  "  Song  of 
the  Prophetess,"  in  the  poetic  Edda,  and  we  shall 
learn  of  the  wild  fictions  of  the  Northmen's  mythol- 
ogy; and  yet  only  a  people  of  native  genius,  and 
high  type  of  manhood,  could  have  devised  it. 

"  In  the  day-spring  of  the  ages,  there  was  neither 
earth  below,  nor  heaven  above,  to  be  distinguished. 
The  whole  was  only  one  vast  abyss,  without  herb 
and  without  seeds.  The  sun  had  then  no  palace,  the 
stars  knew  not  their  dwelling-places,  the  moon  was 
ignorant  of  her  power.  After  this  there  was  a  lumi- 
nous, burning,  flaming  world  towards  the  south ;  and 
another,  nebulous  and  dark,  toward  the  north.  From 
the  latter  world  flowed  out  incessantly  into  the  abyss 
that  lay  between  the  two,  torrents  of  venom ;  which, 
in  proportion  as  they  removed  far  away  from  their 
source,  congealed  in  their  falling  into  the  abys?, 
and  80  filled  it  with  scum  and  ice.  Thus  was  the 
abyss,  by  little  and  little,  quite  filled ;   but  there 


THE  GODS. 


SI 


remained  within  it  a  light  and  immovable  air,  and 
thence  exhaled  icy  vapors.  Then  a  warm  breath 
coming  from  the  south  melted  those  vapors,  and 
formed  of  them  living  drops,  whence  was  born  the 
giant  Ymer.  Whilst  he  slept,  an  extraordinary  sweat 
under  his  armpits  produced  a  male  and  a  female, 
wlience  is  sprung  the  race  of  the  giants,  —  a  race  evil 
and  corrupt  as  well  as  Ymir,  their  author.  Another 
race  was  brought  forth,  which  formed  alliances  with 
that  of  the  giant  Ymir :  this  was  called  the  family 
of  Bor,  so  named  from  the  second  of  that  family, 
who  was  the  father  of  Odin.  The  sons  of  Bor  slew 
the  giant  Ymir ;  and  the  blood  ran  from  his  wounds 
in  such  abundance,  that  it  caused  a  general  inunda- 
tion, wherein  perished  all  the  giants,  excepting  one, 
wlio,  saving  himself  in  a  bark,  escaped  with  all  his 
family.  Then  a  new  world  was  formed.  The  sons 
of  Bor,  or  the  gods,  dragged  the  body  of  the  giant  in 
the  abyss,  and  of  it  made  the  earth,  x'he  sea  ajtd 
rivers  were  composed  of  his  blood  ;  the  earth,  of  his 
flesh ;  the  great  mountains,  of  his  bones ;  the  rocks, 
of  his  teeth  and  of  splinters  of  his  bones  broken. 

"  They  made  of  his  sl'.ull  the  vault  of  heaven,  which 
is  supp  rted  by  four  dwarfs,  named  North,  South, 
East,  and  West.  They  fixed  there  tapers  to  enlight- 
en, and  assigned  to  other  fires  certain  spaces  which 
they  were  to  run  through,  some  of  them  in  heaven, 
others  under  the  heaven.  The  days  were  distin- 
guished, and  the  years  were  numbered. 

"  They  made  the  earth  round,  and  surrounded  it 
with  the  deep  ocean,  upon  the  outward  banks  of 
wliich  they  placed  the  giants.     One  day,  as  the  sons 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


ill! 


Illlj 


ill 


of  Bor,  or  the  gods,  were  taking  a  walk,  they  found 
two  pieces  of  wood  floating  upon  the  water ;  these 
they  took.,  and  out  of  them  made  a  man  and  woman. 
The  eldest  of  the  gods  gave  them  life  and  souls ;  the 
second,  motion  and  knowledge  ;  the  third,  the  gift  of 
speech,  hearing,  and  sight,  to  which  he  added  beauty 
and  raiment.  From  this  man  and  this  woman, 
named  Ask  and  Embla,  is  descended  the  race  of  men 
who  are  permitted  to  inhabit  the  earth. 

"  Those  only  whose  blood  had  been  shed  in  battle 
might  aspire  to  the  pleasures  which  Odin  prepared 
for  them  in  Valhalla.  The  pleasures  which  they  ex- 
pected after  death  show  us  plainly  enough  what  they 
relished  during  life.  The  heroes,  says  the  Edda, 
who  are  received  into  the  palace  of  Odin,  have 
every  day  the  pleasure  of  arming  themselves,  of  pass- 
ing in  review,  of  ranging  themselves  in  order  of  bat- 
tle, and  of  cutting  one  another  in  pieces ;  but,  as  soon 
as  the  hour  of  repast  approaches,  they  return  on 
horseback,  all  safe  and  sound,  to  the  hall  of  Odin, 
and  fall  to  eating  and  drinking.  Though  the  num- 
ber of  them  cannot  be  counted,  the  flesh  of  the  boar 
Sachrimnir  is  fiufficient  for  them  all :  every  day  it  ia 
served  up  at  table,  and  every  day  it  is  renewed  again 
entire.  Their  beverage  is  ale  and  mead :  one  single 
goat,  whose  milk  is  excellent  mead,  furnishes  enough 
of  that  liquor  to  intoxicate  all  the  heroes.  Odin 
alone  drinks  wine  for  his  entire  liquor.  A  crowd  of 
virgins  wait  upon  the  heroes  at  table,  and  fill  their 
cups  as  fast  as  they  empty  th'^m." 

Such  was  the  faith  which  rendered  all  the  inhab- 
Uants  of  the  north  of  Europe  intrepid,  and  which 


|wj,.:,l|i 


THE  GODS. 


sa 


made  them  not  only  defy,  but  even  seek  with  ardor, 
the  most  cruel  deaths.  Acnordingly  King  Regner 
Lodbrok,  when  he  was  dying,  far  from  uttering 
groans,  or  forming  complaints,  could  sing  with 
joy :  "  We  are  cut  to  pieces  with  swords ;  but 
this  fills  me  with  joy,  when  I  think  of  the  feast 
that  is  preparing  for  me  in  Odin's  palace.  Quickly, 
quickly  seated  in  the  splendid  habitation  of  the 
gods,  we  shall  drink  beer  out  of  the  skulls  of  our 
enemies.  A  brav^  '"^an  fears  not  to  die.  I  shall 
utter  no  timorous  words  as  I  enter  the  hall  of 
Odin."  This  fanatical  hope  derived  additional  force 
from  the  ignominy  affixed  to  every  kind  of  death 
but  such  as  was  of  a  violent  nature,  and  from  the  fear 
of  being  sent  after  such  an  exit  into  Niflheim.  This 
was  a  place  consisting  of  nine  worlds,  reserved  for 
those  that  died  of  disease  or  old  age.  Hela,  or 
Death,  there  exercised  her  despotic  power  ;  her  pal- 
ace was  Anguish ;  her  table  Famine ;  her  waiters 
were  Slowness  and  Delay ;  the  threshold  of  her  door 
was  Precipice ;  her  bed  Care ;  she  was  livid  and 
ghastly  pale,  and  her  very  looks  inspired  horror. 

"  Yggdrasill  was  the  mighty  ash,  under  which  the 
gods  assembled  in  council.  Its  branches  cover  tie 
surface  of  the  earth,  its  top  reaches  to  the  highest 
heaven  ;  it  is  supported  by  three  vast  roots,  one  of 
which  extends  to  the  ninth  world.  An  eagle,  whose 
piercing  eye  discovers  all  things,  perches  upon  its 
branches.  Between  his  eyes  is  a  hawk,  who  hears 
the  faintest  whisper.  A  squirrel  is  continually  run- 
ning up  and  down  it,  to  bring  news  ;  while  a  parcel 
of  serpents,  fastened  to  the  trunk,  endeavor  to  destroy 


24 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m 


ii'ii';; 
Hi      I 


lliil 


iiili 


■Hi 


him.  From  under  one  of  the  roots,  runs  a  fountain^ 
wherein  wisdom  lies  concealed.  From  a  neighbor- 
ing spring  (of  past  things)  three  virgins  are  contiii- 
ually  drawing  a  precious  water  for  the  tree,  which 
preserves  the  beauty  of  the  ash,  and,  after  having 
refreshed  its  leaves,  falls  back  again  to  the  earth, 
where  it  forms  the  dew  from  which  the  bees  make 
their  honey.  These  three  virgins  always  keep  under 
the  ash ;  rnd  it  is  they  who  dispense  the  days  and  ages 
of  men.  Every  man  hath  a  Destiny  appropriated  to 
himself,  who  determines  the  duration  and  events  of 
his  life.  But  the  three  Destinies  of  more  especial 
note  are  Urd,  the  past,  Verdandi,  the  present,  and 
Skuld,  the  future.  Loki  wai.  the  Satan  of  these 
idolaters,  the  calumniator  of  the  gods,  the  grand 
contriver  of  deceit  and  frauds,  the  reproach  of  gods 
and  men.  He  is  beautiful  in  figure,  but  his  mind  is 
evil,  and  his  inclination  inconstant.  Nobody  renders 
him  divine  honors.  He  surpasses  all  mortals  in  the 
arts  of  perfidy  and  craft." 

But  it  is  a  curious  fact,  that  from  their  gods  came 
several  names  of  the  days  of  the  week.  Odin's-day 
is  Wednesday,  Thor's-day  is  Thursday,  and  the  name 
of  Frigga  is  immortalized  in  Friday. 

Some  excellent  precepts  had  those  idolaters,  while 
others  were  of  doubtful  morality.  The  following  are 
a  few  of  the  former :  — 

"  Consider  and  examine  well  all  your  doors  before 
you  venture  to  stir  abroad  ;  for  he  is  exposed  to  con- 
tinual danger  whose  enemies  lie  in  ambush  con- 
cealed in  his  court." 

"To  fhe  guest  who  enters  your  dwelling  with 


MORAL  PRECEPTS. 


25 


frozen  knees,  give  the  wannth  of  youj  fire :  he  who 
h^th  travelled  over  the  mountains  hath  need  of  food 
and  well-dried  garments." 

"  Offer  water  to  him  who  sits  down  at  your  table, 
for  he  hath  occasion  to  cleanse  his  hands ;  and  enter- 
tain him  honorably  and  kindly,  if  you  would  win 
from  him  friendly  words,  and  a  grateful  return." 

"  He  who  travelleth  hath  need  of  wisdom.  One 
may  do  at  home  whatsoever  one  will ;  but  he  who  is 
ignorant  of  good  manners  will  only  draw  contempt 
upon  himself,  when  he  comes  to  sit  down  with  men 
well  instructed." 

"  He  who  goes  to  a  feast  where  he  is  not  ex- 
pected either  speaks  with  a  lowly  voice,  or  is  silent. 
He  listens  with  his  ears,  and  is  attentive  with  his 
eyes  ;  by  this  he  acquires  knowledge  and  wisdom." 

"  A  man  can  carry  with  him  no  better  provision 
for  his  journey  than  the  strength  of  understanding. 
In  a  foreign  country,  this  will  be  of  more  use  to  him 
than  treasures,  and  will  introduce  him  to  the  table 
of  strangers." 

"  Many  are  thought  to  be  knit  in  the  ties  of  sin- 
cere kindness ;  but,  when  it  comes;  to  the  proof,  how 
much  are  they  deceived  I  Slander  is  the  common 
vice  of  the  age.     Even  the  host  backbites  his  guest." 

"  One's  own  home  is  the  best  home,  though  never 
so  small.  Every  thing  one  eats  at  home  is  sweet. 
He  who  lives  at  another  man's  table  is  often  obliged 
to  wrong  his  palate." 

"  Riches  pass  away  like  the  twinkling  of  an  eye : 
of  all  friends  they  are  the  most  inconstant.  Flocks 
perish,  relations  die,  friends  are  not  immortal,  yun 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE, 


l!!!!!!IIM 


\\i\v  I 


iiiiit!! 


1!!  *: 


!l!i' 


Ijii 

III  It': 


i|!h: 


■! 


will  die  yourself ;  but  I  know  one  thing  alone  that 
is  out  oi  ihe  reach  of  fate,  and  that  is  the  judgment 
which  is  passed  upon  the  dead." 

"  The  heart  alone  knows  what  passes  within  the 
heart;  and  that  which  betrays  the  soul  is  the  soul 
itself.  There  is  no  malady  or  sickness  more  severe 
than  not  to  be  content  with  one's  lot." 

It  is  evident  from  these  fragments,  that,  everywhere 
and  always,  detraction  is  the  "  common  vice  of  the 
age,"  and  the  sentiment,  if  not  the  song,  of  "  Sweet 
Home,"  is  equally  universal. 

The  only  light  which  history  sheds  on  the  origm 
of  this  mythology,  which  for  ages  was  cherished  by 
the  Northmen,  is  reflected  from  the  shadows  of  an- 
tiquity. 

One  day  in  that  fabled  past,  the  flames  of  Odin*s 
cremation  rose  in  Sigtuna. 

Thousands,  according  to  the  only  records  of  Nor- 
way, the  Yuglinj,  were  gathered  to  witness  the  burn- 
ing of  the  body  of  their  idolized  chieftain,  henceforth 
to  receive  divine  honors. 

He  had  led  them  from  the  far  plains  and  steppes 
of  Asia,  across  Europe.  Conquering  as  they  went, 
they  spread  themselves  over  the  northern  lands, 
groping  their  way  even  to  the  islands  of  that  drear 
ocean,  rolling  away  to  the  mysterious  pole.  Odin 
had  appropriated,  according  to  custom,  the  name  of 
his  own  deity ;  and  was  so  gifted,  and  victorious  in 
battle,  that  in  turn,  upon  his  death,  he  became  the 
object  of  supreme  worship. 

He  had  introduced  cremation,  an  origin  worthy 
of  its  unnatural,  and  therefore  lepulsive  disposition 


ODIN. 


27 


of  the  dead ;  and  it  was  fitting  that  he  should  be 
honored  by  a  national  burning  and  festival. 

When  he  found  death  by  disease  approaching,  the 
Northmen's  horror,  he  inflicted  nine  stabs  in  a  circle 
upon  himself,  declaring,  with  ebbing  life,  that  he 
was  going  to  Asgard,  to  enjoy  an  eternal  banquet 
with  the  gods. 

That  he  founded  a  new  religion,  is,  history ;  ex- 
cepting this,  we  cannot  trace  his  career  in  the  uncer- 
tain light  of  the  Norwegian  story  of  the  nation's 
origin,  and  its  deity.  But  we  have  the  belief,  cere- 
monies, and  sacrifices ;  which,  more  than  any  other 
national  annals,  reflect  the  true  character  of  the 
people. 


CHAPTER  m. 


'■Pl! 


ill 


Who  lived  in  Northern  Europe  before  the  Goths?  —  Lost  History.  — 
A  Hundred  I^anguages. — Five  a  Majority. — Scandinavian  Dia- 
lects. 

'TTT'HOSE  flocks  and  herds    grazed    upon    the 

VV  boundless  fields  of  Northern  Europe  before 
those  of  the  invading  Goths  ? 

However  unsatisfactory  the  answer,  the  very  at- 
tempt to  find  one  sheds  fascinating  light,  by  contrast, 
upon  their  lordly  neighbors,  who  created  kingdoms, 
an'i  peopled  islands,  until  the  Russian  Empire  itself 
rose  beneath  their  forming  energy. 

We  have  looked  out  upon  the  ocean  at  night,  and 
caught,  in  the  moonht  distance,  glimpses  of  wander- 
ing ships,  beyond  which  the  gleams  of  thb  weird 
beams  went  out  in  total  darkness. 

The  ancient  races  of  Europe,  among  which  were 
the  old  Greeks  and  Romans,  are  those  barks  on  the 
edge  of  deepest  night,  in  the  past. 

That  they  all  came  from  the  plains  and  steppes  of 
Asia,  confirming  the  simple  story  of  Moses  in  the  in- 
spired annals,  is  evident.  There,  in  that  mysterious 
Eastern  Continent,  the  mighty  generations  succeeded 
each  other  jnst  like  the  waves  of  that  deep  the  eye 
cannot  scan,  leaving  no  trace  behind. 


THE  HINDOOS. 


29 


Contrasting  in  nearly  all  natural  and  political 
features,  the  land  of  the  Hindoos  is  more  aucieut  and 
marvellous. 

Prof.  Seelye  of  Airfherst  College,  one  of  our  no- 
blest Christian  scholars  and  educators,  recently  gath- 
ered around  him  their  most  gifted  Brahmins,  while 
he  convincingly  unfolded  to  them  the  religion  of  the 
Cross. 

In  unanswerable  statements  to  them,  and  upon  his 
return  to  this  country,  in  the  press,  he  made  very 
clear  the  measureless  contrast  between  the  most  civ- 
ilized heathenism,  in  the  very  texture  of  society,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  spiritual  darkness  shrouding  all 
the  relations  of  mankind  to  God,  and  the  Christian- 
ity of  the  Bible,  even  in  its  so  partially  appreciated 
and  resisted  power. 

Think  of  the  variety  of  tongues  since  the  Babel- 
builders  left  their  unfinished  tower,  when  we  know 
that  now  nearly  one  hundred  different  dialects  have 
their  records  in  literature.  There  is  another  wonder- 
ful fact ;  that  five  of  these  languages  represent  the 
nations  who  have  ruled  the  destinies  of  the  world : 
the  Hindostanic,  in  Southern  Asia  ;  the  Iranic,  or  an- 
cient Persian ;  the  Hellenic,  or  Grecian ;  the  Romanic, 
or  Latin ;  and  the  Teutonic,  which  has  been  that  of 
Northern  Europe,  including  the  Scandinavian,  Ger- 
man, and  English.  The  Scandinavian  was  spoken 
by  the  four  great  branches  of  the  race,  who  peopled 
the  countries  abutting  on  the  Baltic,  —  the  North- 
men, Swedes,  Danes,  and  the  Gardarike,  inhabitants 
of  or  settlers  in  Northern  Russia. 

3* 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


We  have,  therefore,  to  learn  a  hundred  tongues  to 
read  every  thing  written ;  but  five  will  answer  the 
purpose,  for  the  study  of  the  original  literature  of 
earth's  mighty  realms  of  human  power  and  glory. 

Of  the  tribes,  and  their  languages,  at  the  north, 
who  for  ages  lived  unmolested  by  foreign  foes,  but 
had  almost  no  influence  upon  the  great  world's  life 
and  progress,  we  have  only  the  vaguest  hints. 
Tshuds  is  a  name  by  which  they  have  been  histori- 
cally known ;  and  the  Finns  and  Lapps  are  their 
remnants.  The  habits  and  general  intelligence  of 
tliese  two  tribes  are  very  similar.  They  are  more 
like  the  negroes  in  their  simple,  trustful  natures,  and 
their  superstitions,  than  the  Northmen,  on  whose 
boundaries  they  have  lived  for  untold  centuries.  The 
latter,  as  we  shall  see,  were  in  their  day  relatively, 
in  their  superiority,  like  the  Anglo-Saxons  on  the 
American  continent,  more  than  two  centuries  ago. 


ill'! 


|i|!li;i>"r'v,  I 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Two  Thousand  Years  Ago.  —  The  Gift  of  Fire.  —  Tlie  Lava-Tsland.  -• 
The  Oreen  Margins  and  Valleys.  — Traveller's  Impressions. 

TWO  thousand  years  ago  I  No  islAnd  then  may 
have  broken  the  sweep  of  the  ocean  across  the 
Arctic  Circle,  west  of  Norway. 

We  have  no  data  from  which  to  learn  when  Ice- 
land came  from  the  depths  beneath  the  sea;  but 
how,  is  written  all  over  it,  in  characters  as  legible  as 
inscriptions  on  monumental  marble. 

The  signal,  in  the  ocean-solitudes,  of  a  war  of  the 
elements,  was  an  earthquake-shock,  convulsing  the 
sea  for  hundreds  of  miles  around  the  centre  of 
the  tremendous  explosion  at  hand. 

With  the  increasing  agitation  of  the  waters,  their 
surface  became  mottled  with  foam,  and  discolored 
by  the  matter  cast  up  from  the  foundations  on  which, 
for  unnumbered  ages,  they  had  rested.  The  rising 
billows  met  like  armed  hosts,  and  their  roar  was 
louder  than  fiercest  human  battle.  Dense  columns 
of  steam  rolled  upward ;  glowing  tidos  of  pumice 
followed,  lighting  up  with  their  glare  the  silent 
northern  sky. 

Between  these,  great  showers  of  cinders  were 
falling  through  the  eddying  air,  all  **•  heralding  the 
approach  of  the  crater's  mouth."    Then  rose  the  rim 

81 


d2 


THF  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m 


of  the  volcano,  from  whose  furnace  depths  flowed 
on  the  streams  of  lava.  Broader  and  broader  grew 
the  rounded  mass ;  the  fires  began  to  wane ;  the  hot 
surges  subsided ;  and  the  molten  earth  stood,  as  now 
it  stands,  in  black,  stony  battlements  and  towers, 
with  swiftly-flowing  rivers,  crystal  lakes,  and  quiet 
valleys.  And  thus  Iceland  was  indeed  the  gift  of 
fire,  an  oasis  of  lava  in  countless  forms  of  grandeur, 
softened  with  lines  and  intervales  of  beauty,  on  the 
very  edge  of  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

Fire  and  water,  from  the  hour  of  the  island's  birth, 
have  kept  up  a  lively  contest  for  supremacy. 

First  one,  and  then  thc^  other,  and  then  again  both 
together,  have  tried  theii  strength ;  as  if  the  very 
object  of  the  isle's  creation  were  to  be  a  plaything 
for  their  destructive  forces  in  those  distant  seas. 

The  waves  and  earthquakes,  sinking  old  shores, 
have  made  new  ones,  filling  valleys,  and  burying 
meadows  with  the  deluge  of  stones  and  sand  from 
melting  glacier-fields,  or  more  terrible  streams  of 
lava,  flowing  down  the  mountains,  or  bursting  up 
from  the  opening  plains. 

These  charges  during  ages  have  modified  both 
soil  and  climate,  making  details  of  description  at  one 
period  unlike  those  of  later  centuries. 

Iceland  contains  about  forty  thousand  squaie 
miles,  three-fourths  of  which  remain  an  uninhabited 
solitude.  Here  the  thunder  of  convulsions,  and.  of 
the  fall  of  the  avalanche,  with  the  whir  of  the  raven's 
wing,  are  the  only  sounds  that  break  the  silence  of 
a  smoking  waste  of  mountains,  chasms,  caverns, 
lakes,  and  rivers. 


ITS  SITUATION  AND  FEATURES. 


88 


The  island  stretches  over  three  hundred  miles  of 
latitude,  from  63°  23'  to  66°  33'  north,  and  nearly 
the  same  of  longitude,  from  13°  15'  to  24°  40', 
touching  the  curve  of  the  arctic  line. 

Such  is  the  Icelander's  world,  in  the  cold  embrace 
of  the  sea,  whose  majestic  voice  unceasingly  rises 
around  it.  If  we  except  borders  touching  the  ocean, 
with  slopes  of  pasture-land,  and  the  verdant  dales 
along  the  fiords  and  river-courses  running  towards 
the  interior,  with  this  general  description  alone,  we 
might  agree  with  the  old  unfriendly  Danes,  that 
'^  God  made  the  rest  of  the  world,  but  the  Devil 
made  Iceland." 

And  yet  nowhere  is  the  mighty  power  and  tender 
care  of  God  more  visible,  or  does  the  history  of  a 
people  possess  more  singular  interest,  than  among 
the  great  solitudes,  and  scattered,  happy  homes  of 
Iceland. 

It  was  the  reverent  and  appropriate  exclamation 
of  a  traveller,  who,  when  he  first  beheld  this  work  of 
volcanic  forces,  quoted  the  words  of  the  prophet : 
"  Verily  there  is  One  whose  *  fury  is  poured  out  like 
fire ;  the  rocks  are  thrown  down  by  him ;  the  moun- 
tains quake  at  him,  and  the  hlUs  melt,  and  the  earth 
is  burnt  at  his  presence.' 


> )) 


rr 


W 


CHAPTER  V. 


Emigration  to  Iceland.  —Farewell  Festivals.  —  Bafna  Floke.  —  A 

Thousand  Years  Ago. 

A  BOLD  and  famous  viking,  Floki  Rafna  (that 
is,  Floki  of  the  ravens),  who,  Icelandic  tradition 
says,  was  a  descendant  of  "  Goa,  a  sister  of  Nor,  the 
fabled  founder  of  the  kingdom  of  Norway  "  wiiS 
seized,  in  865,  with  a  desire  to  emigrate  to  luaiand. 
He  gathered  his  family  and  followers  to  his  temple, 
and  celebrated  the  sacrificial  banquet.  This  temple, 
owned  by  the  chieftain  whose  retainers  were  num- 
bered by  hundreds,  was  nothing  more  than  a  large 
hall  for  feasting,  with  a  small  recess  at  th^  end  for  i 
worship.  At  every  festival  a  fire  was  built  in  the 
centre  of  the  hall  upon  a  lava  floor,  and  its  smoke 
escaped  through  openings  in  the  roof,  which  served 
also  as  the  only  windows.  The  chieftain  took  his 
seat  upon  a  rude  throne  opposite  the  fire  on  tfc 
southerly  side,  between  two  columns  bearing  inscrip- 
tions in  Runic  letters,  the  written  alphabet,  such  as 
it  was,  invented  by  the  Northmen.  Opposite  him> 
on  a  similar,  yet  inferior  seat  of  honor,  according  to 
custom,  was  his  principal  guest.  To  the  right  and 
left,  on  benches  against  the  wall,  sat  his  retainers 
and  servants.  The  offerings  of  cattle  and  sheep 
were  slain,  and  their  flesh  thrown  into  a  o^dion 


EMIGRATION  TO  ICELAND. 


85 


over  the  blazing  fire.  When  cooked,  it  was  passed 
around,  beginning  with  the  chief,  and  ending  with 
his  humblest  menial.  After  they  were  satiated  with 
the  meat,  they  imbibed  freely  a  kind  of  ale.  With 
the  rising  hilarity,  these  revellers  threw  at  each  other, 
across  the  hall,  the  bones  they  had  picked.  Just 
imagine  the  yet  warm,  greasy  missiles  flpng  back 
and  forth,  in  tjhat  "  dim,  religious  licch^, "  of  Odin's 
hall! 

This  sacrificing  and  feasting  lasted  several  days. 
At  the  close  Floke  took  into  the  recess  where  stood 
the  altar,  three  ravens,  and  consecrated  them,  in  the 
name  of  his  god,  to  his  own  guidance  on  the  voyage ; 
then  removed  them,  with  the  sacred  columns  of  his 
temple-throne,  to  the  ship  ready  to  receive  him. 

Without  a  tear,  but  a  fond,  lingering  gaze,  he 
watched  the  dark  hill-tops  of  his  native  Norway,  as 
they  sank  below  the  horizon,  and  he  became  a  wan- 
derer, in  search  of  that  strange  land,  somewhere  in 
the  untravelled  northern  waters.  It  seems  that  he 
first  touched  the  Faroe  Isles.  Trusting  to  the  in- 
stinct of  the  ravens,  when  he  thought  he  might  be 
nearer  Iceland  than  their  shores,  he  released  one, 
to  mark  its  flight,  as  the  compass  by  which  to 
steer  his  ship.  The  bird  showed  no  hesitation  re- 
specting his  course,  but  flew  straight  for  the  land 
which  he  had  left.  A  few  days  later,  ano^^^her  black 
messenger  was  sent  forth  upon  the  ocean.  The  bird 
seemed  bewildered,  and,  after  an  uncertain  skyward 
flight,  gave  up  the  altempt  to  find  a  resting-place, 
and  returned  to  the  ship.  Pursuing  his  course  un- 
daunted, Floki  uncaged  the  third  raven,  who  flew 


36 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


I  to 


h> 


in  the  direction  he  was  sailing,  unmistakably  indi- 
cating that  the  island  was  near. 

Soon  after,  he  dropped  anchor  within  the  arms  of 
a  fiord,  or  inlet.  The  succeeding  winter  was  intensely 
severe,  filling  the  bays  with  ice,  and  burying  the  land 
by  frequent  snow-storms  for  months.  His  cattle  died, 
and  his  brave  heart  sighed  for  fatherland.  Setting 
sail,  he  named  his  abandoned  place,  of  so  brief  abode, 
Island,  which  in  his  own  tongue  was  Iceland ;  be- 
cause the  blockade  of  icebergs,  from  the  shores  pf 
Greenland,  sometimes  so  walled  it  in,  that  the  ocean 
could  not  be  seen  over  their  crystal  heights. 

But  the  Norwegian  heroes  were  not  easily  dis- 
heartened, nor  were  they  afraid  of  perils  and  suffer- 
ing. In  870  Ingolf,  threatened  with  vengeance  by  the 
kindred  of  an  adversary  he  had  slain,  cpent  a  winter 
in  Iceland,  and  liked  it  so  well,  that  he  determined, 
upon  his  return,  to  raise  a  colony,  and  go  back.  He 
was  urged  to  this,  like  our  Pilgrim  Fathers,  by  op- 
pression. Harald  *  Haarfagr  had  taken  the  reins  of 
power  over  the  chieftains  of  Norway,  and  increased 
their  taxes.  These  old  liberty-loving  sea-rovers 
rebelled  against  this  tyranny;  and  families  banded 
together  to  seek  a  home  in  Iceland.  Their  illustrious 
leader,  Ingolf,  set  sail  in  his  dragon-headed  gaHey, 
the  "  Mayflower  "  of  874,  for  Iceland. 

Approaching  the  land,  he  threw  into  the  sea  the 
sacred  columns,  to  learn  the  will  of  the  gods  by  the 
place  to  which  they  drifted.  But  they  floated  out  of 
sight ;  and  he  sought  a  harbor  in  the  southern  coast, 
at  a  point  which  still  bears  the  name  of  Ingolfshodi. 

*  The  Fair-haired. 


ASSASSINATION. 


37 


Afterwards,  when  the  "clumns  were  found  by  his 
slaves,  he  removed  to  th^m  at  once,  ai^d  founded 
the  present  capital,  Reykjavik.  His  brother-in-law 
Hjorleif  landed,  and  settled  at  a  place  on  the 
south  coast,  which  is  to  this  day  called  Hjorleifs- 
hofdi.  Being  decoyed  into  a  wood  by  his  Irish 
slaves  in  the  following  spring,  in  search  of  a  bear,  he 
was  treacherously  murdered  by  them,  together  with 
the  rest  of  the  company.  The  slaves  fled  with  his 
goods  to  the  Westman  Isles,  named  after  them,  but 
were  pursued  and  killed  by  Ingolf.  In  his  lament 
over  the  dead  body  of  his  friend,  who  had  ceased  to 
honor  pagan  altars,  as  it  is  recorded  in  the  Sagas,  he 
is  made  to  say ;  *'  What  an  ignoble  thing  for  so 
excellent  a  man  to  fall  by  the  hand  of  vile  slaves  I 
But  such  must  ever  be  the  fate  of  those  who  will  not 
sacrifice  to  the  gods." 

This  was  a  thousand  years  ago.  Our  fatherland, 
the  British  empire  of  to-day,  was  then  only  a  re- 
spectable kingdom,  formed  out  of  seven  petty  sover- 
eignties. 

America  was  one  vast,  **  howling  wilderness.'* 
The  mariner's  compass,  and  the  art  of  printing,  were 
unknown  for  centuries  later ;  and  gunpowder,  with- 
out which  modern  armies  would  not  know  how  to 
fight,  had  never  flashed  on  the  brain  of  the  old 
Chinaman  or  Arab  who  gave  his  bright  discoveiy 
to  the  world. 

The  most  ancient  Icelandic  history,  the  Landa- 
nama  Book,  tells  us  of  crucifixes,  bells,  and  other 
7.'elics  of  a  people  from  Ireland,  who  had  embraced 
Christianity,  called  Papas,  from  an  island  on  which 

4 


It 


Hii 


38 


TRE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


they  lived.  There  may  have  been  voyages  thither 
from  that  greener  isle ;  and  it  would  be  a  wonderful 
thing  indeed,  if  bells  calling  to  the  worship  of  God, 
rang  along  the  "stern  and  rock-bound  coast"  of 
Iceland,  beibre  the  pagan  Northmen  reared  their  a} 
tare. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Pilgrim  Nobles  from  Norway.  —  Harald's  Price,  Four  Ounces  of  SHI- 
ver.  —  No  Indians  to  fight.  —  They  have  Conflicts.  —  A  Bepublio 
made  to  Order.  —  Its  Constitution.  —  The  Althing.  — The  First 
Chief  Magistrate. 

BRAVE  Norway  Pilgrims  I  Pagans  though  they 
were,  they  had  in  their  veins,  like  the  founders 
of  New  England,  the  best  blood  of  Europe.  Dur- 
ing the  long  summer  days,  had  one  been  qu  those 
lava  heights  above  the  sea,  he  might  have  seen 
their  old  galleys  creeping  along  the  perilous  coast, 
freighted  with  kindred  and  attendants,  seeking  the 
new  land  of  the  free. 

And  how  does  Harald  feel  about  the  increasing 
emigration  of  his  most  valuable  subjects  following 
the  fearless  pioneer,  Ingolf,  from  the  hated  shadow 
of  his  throne  ?  At  first,  as  all  tyrants  regard  rebel- 
lious spirits,  in  the  pride  of  power,  he  smiled  at 
their  rash  adventure.  But,  when  their  number  grew 
to  thousands,  it  was  another  matter:  their  money 
and  influence  he  could  not  well  afford  to  lose. 
One  day,  through  all  the  region  of  disaffection, 
went  the  royal  decree,  that  every  subject  who 
left  the  kingdom  for  Iceland  should  pay  the  crown 
foui  ounces  of  silver ;  a  heavy  fine  for  those  times, 
and  not  easy  to   raise.     But   freedom   was    more 

80 


;l 


ij 

i! 

I 


40 


THE  ISLAND  CF  FIRE. 


precious  than  silver  to  the  untamed  Northmen. 
Unchecked,  the  living  tide  flowed  on.  All  along 
the  accessible  borders  of  the  volcanic  land,  they 
moored  their  vessels;  the  stern  leaders  of  house- 
hold bands,  leaping  into  the  foam,  were  followed  by 
the  family,  and  then  the  retainers,  "  armed  to  the 
teeth."  The  procession  turned  their  faces  towards  the 
distant  and  frowning  heights.  By  the  wide  fiords, 
they  threaded  roughest  paths,  which  no  feet  had 
trodden  before,  seeking  green  pasturage,  and  fresh 
streams,  beside  which  to  build  their  lava  cabins. 
These  Icelandic  exiles  had  their  own  curious  ways 
of  getting  and  holding  possession  of  the  unfenced 
slopes  and  valleys.  One  of  these  was,  to  light  fires 
at  the  mouths  of  all  the  streams  running  into  a  fiord, 
and  claiming  the  whole  district  through  which  they 
ran.  Shooting  a  fiery  arrow  across  a  stream,  was  ex- 
tending the  right  to  the  land  from  the  spot  where  it 
fell  upon  the  other  side,  to  the  terminus  of  the  river. 
Then,  again,  estates  were  separated  by  the  natural 
boundaries  of  mountains,  and  ridges  of  hills.  These 
colonists  fou)xd  no  Indians  to  oppose  their  progress, 
as  did  those  of  New  England  eight  hundred  years 
later.  Had  the  fierce  Northmen  been  saluted  with 
the  war-whoop,  what  fighting  there  wuld  have 
been  I  For  those  chieftains  and  their  warriors,  as 
we  have  seen,  have  no  rivals  in  the  world's  history : 
a  passion  for  arms  was  the  master  one.  They  had 
no  higher  ambition  than  to  die  with  their  weapons 
of  war  in  their  hands,  dripping  with  the  blood  of  the 
slain. 

When  the  district  of  a  chieftain  was  determined, 


FAMILY  FEUDS. 


41 


he  allotted  to  each  of  the  freemen  who  followed  him 
a  portion  of  it,  built  a  temple,  or  Ao/,  and  became,  aa 
he  had  been  in  Norway,  a  godi^  and  was  so  called  after 
the  deity  he  worshipped.  The  chieftain  was  both 
priest  and  leader.  Men  were  compelled  to  pay  a 
tax  on  the  Ao/,  and  follow  their  lord  on  his  journeys 
and  expeditions.  It  must  have  been  a  splendid  and 
imposing  spectacle,  when,  with  their  burnished  arms, 
these  physically  splendid  warriors  marched  behind 
their  chief,  mounted  on  his  richly  caparisoned 
steed.  All  went  on  peacefully  for  a  few  years, 
till  new-comers  found  the  best  lands  occupied,  and 
thought,  very  naturally,  they  ought  to  have  a  share 
of  the  extensive  farms  appropriated  without  any- 
body's permission.  If  the  lord  of  the  manor  refused 
to  divide,  the  question  must  be  decided  by  "  wager 
of  battle,"  or  trial  of  the  case  by  arms.  If  the  ag- 
gressor won  the  day,  he  quietly  took  the  coveted 
portion ;  if  he  lost,  and  survived  the  combat,  he  re- 
tired from  the  field,  and  sough  t  elsewhere  a  home. 

Quarrels  multiplied,  and  all  classes  were  getting 
restless.  The  sensible,  shrewd  old  Northmen  saw 
something  must  be  done  to  unite  and  protect  the 
whole  people.  But  where  shall  they  find  the  model 
for  a  constitution,  and  a  mind  to  frame  it  for 
the  conflicting  elements?  A  council  was  called, 
and  all  eyes  turned  to  Ulfljot,  a  man  distinguished  foi 
learning  and  justice.  But,  like  the  truly  great  of 
every  age,  he  shrank  from  a  responsibility  demand- 
ing the  rarest  powers.  One  summer  day  this 
thoughtful  Icelander  stole  away  from  his  quiet 
home,  to  the  harbor,  and  sailed  for  Norway.     He 


li 


f  Ji 


42 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m-. 


q,,. 


sought  Thorlief  the  Wise.  Under  him,  for  three 
years,  he  studied  national  laws  and  customs,  and 
talked  freely  with  the  most  enlightened  minds. 

This  Jefferson  of  the  tenth  century  returned  to 
Iceland,  and  the  people  assembled  to  hear  his  plan 
for  a  distinct  nationality.  How  well  he  knew  the 
spirit  of  his  countrymen  I  The  clashing  of  sword 
and  shield,  ringing  out  upon  the  clear  air,  proclaims 
their  adoption  of  a  republican  form  of  government ; 
a  miracle  in  the  worM  of  politics,  and  on  a  continent 
of  kings  and  lawless  tribes.  And  thus  a  republic  was 
made  to  order,  on  the  farthest  land  known  in  the 
cold  north,  with  the  smiling  realms  of  Europe  at  their 
feet,  caived  up  by  monarchs,  great  and  small. 

There  remained,  unavoidably,  the  aristocracy  of 
the  old  chiefs  and  nobles,  with  other  defects ;  which, 
considering  its  antiquity,  were  no  more  than  spots 
upon  the  face  of  the  rising  sun. 

The  glory  of  that  republic  is  reflected  to-day  f  i*om 
English  law  and  liberty,  and  re-appears  in  the  freer 
institutions  of  America. 

In  the  new  order  of  things,  the  island  had  four 
quartei-s,  corresponding  to  the  points  of  compass, 
and  named  after  them.  Each  of  these  was  subdi- 
vided into  three  districts ;  and  these,  again,  into  tliree 
more,  called  godords.  There  were  governors  over 
the  provinces ;  under  them  were  prefects,  or  magis- 
trates ;  ant""  five  officei-s  were  appointed  to  maintain 
peace  and  good  order  in  each  of  the  smaller  dis- 
tricts, and  especially  to  care  for  the  poor. 

The  needy  must  be  cared  for  by  kindred,  if  able 
to  do  it ;  and,  if  not,  by  the  parish. 


1 .11 


>  ,;[\\ 


A  REPUBLIC  FORMED, 


48 


In  all  these  divisions  were  held  assemblies  for 
public  purposes.  In  the  third,  or  the  smaller  dis- 
tricts, they  were  composed  of  all  the  citizens  who 
held  real  estate  to  a  given  amount,  and  were  of 
an  "unblemished  moral  character.'* 

The  district  assembly  was  called  a  Thing,  that  b, 
*o  say^  presided  over  by  the  goda,  selected  for  their 
wisdom,  and  love  of  justice.  Near  the  Thingstead,  or 
place  of  meeting,  was  Odin's  temple.  The  judges 
sat  within  the  dom-ringh,  or  doom-ring,  formed  of 
upright  stones  or  hazel-twigs.  In  its  centre  was  the 
hlotsteinriy  or  stone  of  execution;  a  huge  block  of 
basalt,  with  a  ridge  across  it,  apon  wh^ch  were 
broken  the  backs  of  certain  criminals. 

The  Althing,  or  general  assembly,  was  the  great 
annual  court  of  the  nation,  held  at  Thingvalla. 

Ulfljot  was  chosen  unanimously  the  first  chief 
magistrate,  who  held  his  office  three  years.  The 
"  pen,  mightier  than  the  sword,"  or  unwritten  speech, 
won  the  honor  unsought  by  him  or  p  clitic  partisans. 

"  After  the  year  999,  the  Althing  was  opened  on 
the  Thursday  between  the  28th  of  June  and  4th  July, 
and  remained  in  session  fourteen  days.  Since  agri- 
culture could  not  be  carried  on  in  Iceland,  and  the 
raising  of  cattle  required  little  labor,  the  men  early 
acquired  the  habit  of  travelling  to  Thingvalla  every 
year;  so  that  finally  many  thousands  of  persons 
assembled  in  the  valley,  exchanged  information, 
traded,  feasted,  and  thus  established  a  kind  of 
national  fair.  The  civil  ari  criminal  cases  were 
practically  tried  before  the  whole  people ;  and  what- 
ever law  was  decreed  went  immediately  into  action. 


;!! 


i    ;| 
1 


m 

i  !| 

!  II 


44 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


**  After  Iceland  fell  to  Norway,  and  then  to  Den- 
mark, the  form  of  holding  the  Althing  was  stiU 
obfierved,  although  it  was  scarcely  more  than  an 
empty  form.  The  meetings  were  held  in  the  open 
air,  as  in  the  old  and  glorious  ages,  until  the  year 
1690 ;  when  a  wall  of  blocks  of  lava  was  erected, 
and  a  canvas  roof  spanned  over  it  to  protect  the 
delegates  from  inclement  weather.  Here  Danish 
law  was  proclaimed  to  the  people,  up  to  the  year 
1800,  when  the  seat  of  justice  was  removed  to  Reykj- 
avik. Even  the  old  wall  has  been  taken  away ;  and 
the  Hill  of  the  Law  is  now  as  bare  and  grand  as 
when  it  witnessed  the  deliberations  of  a  free  people." 

There  is  one  short  word,  of  pure  Icelandic  origin, 
which  is  a  Drummond  light  in  its  significance,  pour- 
ing a  flood  of  radiance  from  that  lone  island,  and  the 
far  past,  wherever  human  rights  are,  or  sir  H  be  pro- 
tected. It  is  KVIBR ;  a  verdict^  or  trial  h  y.  The 
neighbors  of  the  man  arraigned,  whose  number  might 
be  four,  six,  or  ten,  accompanied  him  to  the  court,  and 
there  took  the  oath  of  impartial  judgment.  The  tolf- 
tar-kvidir  was  the  verdict  of  twelve^  or  special  jury ; 
called  also  goda-kvidir,  or  priest-verdict^  because  the 
godi  of  the  district  summoned  the  jury,  and  was  ex- 
officio  its  foreman.  This  guardian  of  the  rights  of 
freemen  was  transplanted  to  English  ground ;  for  the 
settlers  of  England  were  kith  and  kin  to  those  of  Ice- 
land. This  old  Scandinavian  institution  gradually 
died  out  in  the  mother  countries,  and  came  to  an  end 
in  Iceland  A.D.  1271-1281,  with  the  faU  of  the  com- 
monwealth ;  whereas  it  was  naturalized  in  England, 
which  became  the  classical  land  of  trial  by  jury. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


The  MagniAcent  Capitol.  —  Built  when  the  Island  was  made.  —The 
National  Oourt. — Tents  and  Booths. —  The  Incendiary.  —  His 
Escape. 

FALLING  into  the  procession  from  Reykjavik,  and 
other  towns,  the  most  of  which  are  single  farms, 
we  are  on  the  way  to  Thingvalla,  over  a  narrow 
pathway,  and  through  varied,  but  always  wild  scen- 
ery. Here  and  there,  for  a  few  miles,  a  farm-house 
is  nestled  in  a  green  valley. 

Now  we  cross  a  broad  ^  iva-bed,  which  gleams  in 
the  sun's  rays  like  a  vast  iron  plain,  torn  and  seamed 
by  the  convulsions  which  made  it.  Beyond  it  an 
ocean  of  peaks  spreads  away  to  the  horizon. 
"  There  is  a  magical  effect  to  the  atmosphere,  seen  in 
no  other  country.  The  air  is  so  pure,  the  strong  con- 
trasts of  black,  brown,  and  red  lavas,  and  the  green 
fields,  and  snowy  mountains,  make  splendid  pictures, 
even  at  twenty  miles'  distance."  Farther  on,  we  en- 
ter the  valley  of  the  Lax4,  or  Salmon  River,  rushing 
madly  to  the  sea. 

Fording  the  stream,  our  narrow  way  leads  through 
utter  desolation  to  a  broad  plateau  of  barren  rock. 
Suddenly  we  halt  on  the  brow  of  a  precipice ;  and 
what  a  panorama  bursts  on  the  view  ^  It  is  the  vale 
of  Thingvalla.  No  pen  or  pencil  can  sketch  its 
wonders. 

46 


it 


lU 


r  ;  1/ 


» ''J 


n 


46 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRU. 


Mtl 


We  are  on  the  edge  of  the  Almanne-Gja,  or  All- 
Men's  Chasm.  Half  a  dozen  miles  across  the  valley, 
is  the  Hrafna  Gja,  or  Raven's  Chasm,  the  correspond- 
ing wall ;  their  very  angles  revealing  the  rent  where 
they  were  driven  asunder.  Between  these  pinnacled 
barriers,  lie  fifty  square  miles  of  once  molten  lava, 
which  sank  a  hundred  feet  below  the  land-level 
along  these  gigantic  ramparts. 

The  first  glance  from  the  plain  to  the  ragged  walls, 
converging  in  the  distance,  is  bewildering  by  the 
magnitude  and  grandeur  of  the  scene.  Great  shad- 
ows fall  at  thoir  base,  in  the  changing  light  that 
brightens  the  gloomy  battlements. 

Towards  the  south,  the  plain  slopes  gradually  to 
the  crystal  "  Thingvalla  Vatn,"  or  Tlilngvalla  Wa- 
ter, whose  cleai  expanse  is  ten  miles  long,  half  as 
many  wide,  and  in  some  places  over  a  thousand  feet 
deep. 

Through  a  gorge  in  the  Hrafna  Gja,  a  river  comes 
tumbling  and  foaming,  as  if  crazy  with  delight  over 
its  escape,  and  glides  avvay  into  its  placid  bosom. 
Beneath  its  transuicent  waters,  as  everywhere  in  Ice- 
land, are  seams  and  chasms,  —  the  savage  scars  of  that 
great  battle  of  elements,  in  which  the  victorious 
land  was  enthroned  in  grim  majesty  amid  the  sea. 
Two  pretty  islands,  Sandej  and  Vesey,  dot  its  bosom. 
The  only  human  life  there  is  in  the  little  parsonage. 

The  train  moves  forward  to  nearly  the  middle  of 
the  beautiful  valley.  On  the  checkered  floor  open 
chasms  similar,  but  broader  and  deeper,  to  those 
which  surround  and  guard  ancient  castles.  Straight 
down,  they  go  sometimes  far  below  a  sounding-line. 


THE  CAFITOL. 


47 


Three  of  these  form  a  triangle,  enclosing  a  stony 
floor,  with  only  a  narrow  causeway  connecting  it  with 
the  surrounding  valley.  This  is  the  Capitol  of  the 
republic,  in  which  the  Althing  annually  sits. 

At  the  upper  extremity,  is  an  elevation  of  rock, 
crowning  the  Loeberg,  or  Mount  of  Laws.  Upon  this 
is  the  seat  of  the  chief  magistrate. 

A  simple  illustration  will  convey  a  sufficiently 
clear  idea  of  the  spot.  With  threo  gashed  and  ragged 
blocks,  make  an  acute  triangle.  Into  this,  drop 
another,  wedge-shaped,  the  point  touching  the  apex 
of  the  triangular  wall  around  it.  That  central  block 
is  the  place  where  sits  the  national  court ;  the  spaces 
between  it  and  the  enclosing  blocks  are  the  chasms  ; 
and  the  point  of  contact,  the  narrow  and  natural 
bridge  leading  to  it.  Standing  at  the  base,  and 
looking  up  the  valley  beyond  it,  on  the  right  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  the  river  dashes  over  the 
Almanne-Gja ;  and  beyond  it  are  the  secluded  church 
and  lava-turf  parsonage.  Farther  away,  "spreads 
the  lake,  with  the  far-off  horizon  of  magnificent 
mountains. 

One  of  the  contorted  columns  in  the  north-west 
side  is  "  Hanging  Rock,"  to  which  certain  culprits 
(tradition  says)  were  tied  by  a  rope  around  the 
neck,  and  then  hurled  into  the  frightful  abyss. 

Below  the  second  fall  of  the  river,  "  where  it  tears 
through  the  south-east  wall,"  is  a  pool  of  blue  foaming 
water,  used  for  the  execution  of  women  convicted  of 
child-murder  or  -vitchcraft. 

Of  the  island  in  the  Axard.  where  duels  were 
fought,  a  patch  of  mud  only  remains.    To  the  south, 


48 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


li  : 


1  il 


rise  picturesque  mountains,  on  whose  slopes  four  hot 
springs  send  up  their  incense  of  vapor,  adding  to  the 
strange  solemnity  of  the  scene.  The  majestic  walls 
are  not  equally  high  and  perpendicular,  the  falling 
fragments  of  the  Almanne-Gja  having  filled  the 
angles  on  the  plain  below. 

It  is  August  of  the  year  950.  The  judges  and  dooms- 
men  take  the  three  rows  of  stone  benches  on  each  side 
of  the  inclosure.  A  single  policeman  strides  over  the 
area  to  keep  order.  Outside  of  this  open  court,  be- 
yond the  chasms,  are  pitched  the  tents,  and  gather 
groups  of  the  people  who  throng  the  broad  galleries  of 
this  Capitol  of  their  national  Congress.  Gay  attire 
and  polished  weapons  flash  in  the  sunlight  of  the 
long  summer  day. 

An  incendiary  is  summoned  to  trial.  The  evi- 
dence is  clear;  and  the  Logesagumadr,  or  promulgator 
of  the  law,  from  the  Logberg,  asks  the  doomsmen, 
"Guilty,  or  not  guilty?"  The  clashing  of  sword 
and  shield  seals  his  fate.  With  a  sudden  bound, 
Flose  breaks  away  from  the  fatal  ring,  and  flies  to 
the  narrowest  part  of  the  encircling  gorge.  The 
abyss  yawns  twenty  feet  between  him  and  the 
ascending  slope  on  the  opposite  side.  But  dear  life 
is  at  stake ;  and,  like  a  hunted  deer,  he  scales  the 
chasm,  and  disappears  among  the  dismal  solitudes, 
beyond  the  reach  of  his  pursuers. 

The  volcanic  convulsions  in  the  neighborhood  were 
made  the  pretext  for  removing  the  courts  to  Reyk- 
javik in  1800 ;  an  act  neither  the  Icelanders  nor  their 
friends  can  forgive  or  forget. 


!»' 


t    I 


41 


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cap 


"  ■'TJHSbSSSH^*' 


CHAPTER  Vra. 


m 


i  li.r 


Embarking  for  Keykjavik. — Copenhagen. — Rocky  Isles. — The 
Needles  and  Arch  of  Portland  Head.  —  Weatman  Islands.  —  Co- 
lumbus visited  them.  —  Bird  Ijamps.  —  First  Glimpses.  —  Impress- 
ive Scenes. 

"  "T^  EAR,  dear  I  and  you  are  going  to  Iceland  I  a 

~jLy  long  way  from  America.  I  would  like  to  visit 
your  country ;  but  it  is  very  dangerous  to  travel  by 
sea.  A  vessel  was  burned  up  not  long  since,  and 
many  of  my  friends  were  lost.  It  was  a  dreadful 
affair." 

So  chatted  Hans  Christian  Andersen,  in  his  out-of- 
the-way  chambers,  by  one  of  the  bustling  canals  of 
Copenhagen,  to  the  first  "  Yankee  "  whose  pencil 
gave  us,  from  his  own  portfolio,  graphic  pictures  of 
the  most  wonderful  scenery  and  country  in  the  world. 

Young  people  everywhere  know  Hans  Christian 
Andersen  as  their  friend  ;  the  gifted  Danish  author, 
who  has  been  the  delight  not  only  of  children,  but 
read  by  all  ages.  He  moves  about  the  ancient  city 
of  his  birth  from  one  neighborhood  of  the  poor 
classes  to  another,  to  study  the  qaaint  characters 
which  re-appear  in  his  sprightly  pages. 

We  bid  him  good-by,  and  *'  The  Arcturus  "  steams 
away  from  the  capital  of  Denmark  towards  the 
capital  of  Iceland. 

ft  49 


11 


;i  : 


50 


TBE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


"  The  most  wonderful  land  in  the  world."  Yes ; 
although  scarcely  known  in  this  country,  beyond  its 
name,  till  the  visit  of  our  famous  delegation  to  the 
Millennial  Jubilee  of  1874,  we  shall  find  it  so.  It  is 
wonderful  in  its  origin  and  scenery,  in  its  fascinating 
old  traditions,  and  real  history.  Nor  did  the  pulse 
of  the  youthful  reader  ever  quicken  more  wildly 
over  a  tale  of  fiction,  than  it  will  over  some  of  the 
earliest  written  adventures  in  Europe,  by  descend- 
ants of  the  daring  vikings.  By  the  many  who  have 
thought  of  Iceland  as  I  have  done  nearly  all  my  life, 
the  people,  and  their  sea-girdled  home,  have  been  sadly 
libelled  in  the  chambers  of  imagery.  A  few  huts 
among  snow-banks  most  of  the  year,  their  occupants 
resembling  the  fur-clad  Esquimaux,  was  the  outlined 
view  of  both,  whenever  any  mention  of  the  far-off, 
desolate  spot  brought  them  to  mind. 

From  Copenhagen,  the  voyage  is  through  the 
Skager  Rack  towards  the  north  of  Scotland,  from 
whose  ports  Englishmen  sail  for  Iceland.  Upon 
leaving  the  glorious  land  of  Bruce  (once  itself  a 
powerful  realm),  swarms  of  rocky  isles  attract  the 
eye.  The  Shetlands,  Hebrides,  Orkneys,  and  many 
more,  dot  the  expanse  of  waters  breaking  against 
those  northern  walls  of  the  British  Empire.  Farther 
on,  about  half  way  to  Icebud,  are  the  Faroe  Isles. 
Ov\j  a  few  of  all  these  are  inhabited.  The  people 
are  shepherds,  tending  their  flocks  in  the  lonely  val- 
leys, fishermen,  rocking  in  their  light  boats  through 
storm  and  sunshine,  and  egg-hunters,  hanging  by 
cords  from  lofty  cliffs,  to  rob  the  numberless  wild 
birds  of  their  eggs. 


OCEAS  SCENES. 


01 


Occasionally,  by  the  sea,  a  village  bursts  on  the 
Bight ;  rows  of  low  houses,  with  turf  or  tarred 
roofs,  separated  by  narrow,  dirty  streets,  with  a 
chapel,  and  sometimes  a  public-library  building. 

The  people  are  a  mixed  race,  in  which  the  emigra- 
tion many  centuries  ago  from  Scandinavia  is  largely 
represented. 

A  vessel  from  Copenhagen,  through  the  Skager 
Rack  and  Cattegat,  will  be  likely  to  approach  the  coast 
of  Iceland  farther  on  the  southerly  side  than  by  the 
other  route,  feeling  its  way  along  through  fogs  and 
storms,  near  Portland  Head,  about  seventy  miles 
from  the  capital,  on  the  western  side  of  the  island. 
Needle-shaped  columns  of  rock  stand  in  gigantic 
spires  of  lava,  entirely  separated  from  each  other. 
A  little  farther  on,  is  a  circular  opening  through  a 
promontory  of  the  same  dark  rock,  two  hundred 
feet  by  ninety,  drilled  by  the  perpetual  dash  of  the 
waves  through  the  projecting  wall,  and  extend- 
ing below  the  water.  A  vessel  can  march  through 
this  triumphal  arch  ot  the  sea.  Then,  again,  a  cata- 
ract plunges  down  fifty  feet,  without  a  break,  into 
the  ocean,  whose  waves,  chafed  to  a  foam  against 
the  solid  barrier,  receive  the  bounding  torrent. 
Looking  away  towards  the  interior,  a  greaster 
wonder  meets  the  vision.  A  cascade  falls  eight  hun- 
dred feet  down  the  bare  summit,  shining  like  a  silver 
streamer  on  the  walls  of  lava.  Tt  is  the  largest  and 
most  wonderful  barometer  in  the  world.  For,  when 
the  secluded  dwellers  on  the  Westman  Islands  see 
the  broad  white  ribbon  tossed  into  mist  by  the  wind, 
they  know  it  is  useless  to  attempt  to  reach  with  their 


i  \' 


52 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


ill. 


(   ■  ■.: 


jfrail  boats  the  shores  of  Iceland,  over  the  reefs,  and 
through  the  angry  billows. 

Those  Westman  Islands  are  a  group  of  fifteen  piles 
of  black  lava,  seven  miles  from  the  southern  coast 
of  Iceland ;  only  one  of  which,  Heimaey,  or  Home 
Isle,  three  miles  long,  is  inhabited.  There  is  a  time- 
worn  church  near  the  harbor,  which  was  sacked,  and 
robbed  of  its  silver  and  vestments,  by  pirates,  two 
centuries  ago.  Near  it  are  a  pastor,  a  doctor,  and  a 
magistrate.  Sheep  are  lifted  to  the  green  spots  on 
the  gloomy  heights  by  ropes,  and,  when  the  storm 
rages,  are  folded  in  caverns,  to  save  them  from  being 
swept  into  the  sea.  Life  here  is  indeed  wild  and 
lonely.  Only  occasionally,  duiing  the  short  summer- 
time, can  the  people  get  even  to  Iceland.  The  ful- 
mar petrel,  a  curious  bird  of  very  strange  odor,  with 
its  eggs,  which  are  gathered  by  hanging  from  the 
rocks,  suspended  by  small  cords,  such  as  were  used 
hundreds  of  years  ago,  are  the  principal  articles  of 
food.  Offer  the  daring  egg-hunter  a  strong  rope, 
instead  of  this  frail  cord  of  hair,  and  he  will  reject 
it,  almost  with  indignation,  because  his  ancestors 
for  several  hundred  years  used  simply  the  line.  Not 
unfrequently,  a  bold,  strong  man  loses  his  hold,  or  a 
shSrp  edge  cuts  his  cord,  and  away  he  goes,  like  a 
falling  fragment  of  lava,  down,  a  thousand  feet  below, 
either  into  the  sea,  or  is  dashed  upon  the  rocks. 

A  nd  how  did  these  imprisoned  islanders  light  their 
huts?  You  could  not  guess  in  a  lifetime.  They 
took  young  petrels,  and,  running  wicks  down  their 
throats,  turned  the  balls  of  oil  into  lamps,  the  small 
flames  tipping  their  bills.     The  tails  reseirbled  Jian- 


VISIT  OF  COLUMBUS. 


S8 


dh'8^  but  the  natives  carried  the  plump  bodies  in  their 
palms. 

Infants  cannot  live  on  this  savage  spot,  and  are 
sent  to  the  mainland  during  their  early  childhood. 
The  air  and  food  for  them  and  their  mothers  are 
such,  that,  during  the  first  seven  days  after  birth, 
they  are  seized  with  a  strange  malady,  attended  with 
spasms,  and  nearly  always  die. 

It  would  do  any  kind  heart  good,  when  some  ship 
is  approaching,  to  see  these  poor  people  rush  to  the 
shore,  with  a  heart-hunger  intense  as  the  wolfs  appe- 
tite for  prey,  and  watch  and  wait  for  letters  from  far- 
off  kindred,  or  Danish  newspapers,  to  learn  from 
them  the  events  of  the  great  outside  world,  from 
which  no  tidings  have  come  for  many  a  monotonous 
month. 

Shipwrecks,  tragedies  of  the  most  sanguinary  kind, 
pillage  by  outlaws,  and,  through  all  these,  the  un- 
ceasing roar  of  ^he  boiling  deep,  and  the  fearful 
music  of  storms  -sweeping  over  the  ban  on  heights, 
make'  an  outline  of  the  history  of  the  Westman 
Isles. 

Fame's  laurels,  like  every  thing  earthly,  are  surely 
a  very  uncertain  possession  ;  and  an  unexpected  frost 
may  at  any  time  nip  some  of  their  leaves.  It  seems 
quite  evident  that  Columbus  visited  these  islands  in 
1477,  and  also  the  mainland ;  it  may  be,  gathering 
valuable  hints  concerning  the  direction  from  Europe, 
of  the  distant  continent,  which  the  bold  pioneer 
Northmen  had  discovered  before  him.  The  shrewd 
navigator  kept  his  own  secrets,  if  he  had  any  of 
value  to  him,  and  used  them  in  securing  for  himself 


54 


TEE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


i 


■11 


a  deserved  place  on  the  world's  scroll  of  immortal 
names. 

Eight  miles  west  of  Cape  Reykjanes,  there  is  a 
circular  column  of  rock,  called  the  "  Meal-sack,"  ris- 
ing two  hundred  feet  above  the  sea.  It  leans  a  little 
like  the  tower  at  Pisa,  Italy,  and  is  more  than  four 
hundred  feet  in  circumference.  Its  top  is  covered 
and  fringed  with  guano,  giving  it  the  appearance  of 
a  bag  of  gigantic  size,  filled  to  overflow  with  meal. 

It  has  never  been  scaled  by  any  other  feet  than 
those  of  the  myriad  birds  which  circle  around  it,  and 
make  it  their  grand  dormitory  at  night;  a  m  mu- 
mental  column  of  some  great  volcanic  upheaval  in 
the  ages  past. 

Whether  we  embark  from  Scotland  or  from  Den- 
mark, after  sailing  five  hundred  miles,  and  within 
nearly  one  hundred  and  sixty  of  Greenland,  as  you 
approach  the  coast  of  Iceland,  upon  the  horizon  glit- 
ter in  the  wonderfully  transparent  air,  if  clear,  the 
jokuls,  or  snow-covered  mountains,  of  the  unexplored 
heart  of  Iceland.  These  are  the  majestic  sentinels, 
which  look  down  upon  the  surrounding  and  varied 
landscape,  sloping  to  the  sea.  Around  the  shining 
summits,  bright,  even  in  the  long  arctic  night,  with 
auroral  splendors,  and  the  flashing  stars  of  the  clear 
heavens,  rise  the  fells,  or  dark  lava  mountains,  with- 
out crowns  of  perpetual  snow.  On  their  sides  are 
spread  broad  table-lands,  dropping  off  into  un- 
fathomed  gulfs,  and  long  ravines,  whose  gloom  the 
sun's  rays  never  enter  beyond  the  black  crags  which 
border  them.  In  their  perpetual  night,  the  frost- 
king  reigns  undisturbed  as  among  the  glaciers  of  the 
Alps. 


ICELAND  BCENERT. 


55 


Nearer  the  sea,  you  behold  piles  of  solid  rock ; 
then  slopes  of  loose  stone,  as  if  some  of  those  grim 
heaps  had  been  torn  up  and  pounded  by  giants  in 
their  pastime.  Below  these,  are  terraces  of  the 
same  dark  basalt,  in  whose  shadow  madly  dash  the 
widening  rivers  towards  the  sea,  and  lie  the  peaceful 
valleys.  From  this  largest  part  of  the  island,  in 
which  there  is  no  human  life,  wind  away  the  many 
fiords^  or  inlets,  at  whose  mouths  beetling  promonto- 
ries guard  the  only  entrance  within  the  borders  of 
this  desolate  land.  The  shores  are  fringed  with  lit- 
tle islands  of  the  same  lava  rock,  over  which  the  in- 
coming tides  and  waves  break  into  foam,  encircling 
the  island  with  a  white  and  beautiful  wreath,  from 
the  protecting  deep. 

North-east  of  Iceland,  and  nearly  east  of  Green- 
land, there  is  Jan  Mayen,  a  very  wonderful  island, 
seldom  seen  by  man.  It  rises  nearly  eight  thousand 
feet  from  the  sea,  with  scarcely  margin  enough  for 
landing.  It  is  covered  with  glaciers,  the  terraces 
and  pinnacles  making  it  look  as  if  a  Niagara,  while 
pouring  its  fl'^od  over  the  majestic  mountain,  dash- 
ing downwards  on  every  side  of  it  in  a  deluge  of 
eddying  floods  and  cascades,  had  in  a  moment  been 
congealed  into  shining  crystal.  Lord  DufFerin,  now 
governor-general  of  Canada,  visited  it  in  his  yacht 
in  1856,  and  speaks  of  it  as  grand  beyond  the  power 
of  language  to  describe. 

An  American  traveller  pleasantly  tells  us  how 
Icelandic  scenery  impressed  him  upon  his  first  ride 
into  its  solitudes  :  — 

"  The  weird,  fire-blasted,  and  flood-scourged  wil- 


=1 


M 


THE  rSLAND  OF  ffRR. 


derness  on  all  sides  was  as  silent  as  death,  save  when 
we  approached  some  dark  lagoon,  and  startled  up  the 
flocks  of  water-fowl  that  dwelt  in  its  sedgy  borders. 
Then  the  air  was  pierced  with  wild  screams,  and 
strange  cries,  and  the  rocks  resounded  to  the  flap- 
ping of  many  wings.  To  me  there  was  a  peculiar 
charm  in  all  this.  It  was  different  from  any  thing 
r  had  recently  experienced.  The  roughness  of  the 
trail,  the  absence  of  cultivated  fields,  the  entire 
exemption  from  the  restraints  of  civilization,  were 
perfectly  delightful  after  a  dreary  residewce  of  nearly 
a  year  in  Germany.  Here,  at  least,  there  were  no 
passport  bureaus,  no  meddlesome  police,  no  conceited 
and  disagreeable  hahituSs  of  public  places  with  fierce 
dogs  running  at  their  heels,  no  Verbotener  Wegs 
staring  one  in  the  face  at  every  turn.  Here  all  ways 
possible  to  be  travelled  were  open  to  the  public; 
here  was  plenty  of  fresh  air,  and  no  lack  of  elbow- 
room;  here  an  unsophisticated  American  could 
travel  without  being  persecuted  every  ten  minutes 
by  applications  from  distinguished  officers  in  livery 
for  six  kreutzers. 

"  It  seemed  very  strange  to  be  travelling  in  Iceland, 
actually  plodding  my  way  over  deserts  of  lava,  and 
breathing  blasts  of  air  fresh  from  the  summit  of 
Mount  Hekla.  I  was  at  last  in  the  land  of  the  Sagas ; 
the  land  of  fire  and  brimstone,  and  boiling  fountains  5 
the  land  which,  as  a  child,  I  had  been  accustomed 
to  look  upon  as  the  Ultima  Thule,  where  men 
and  fish  and  fire  and  water  were  pitted  against  each 
other  in  everlasting  strife.  How  often  had  the 
fascinating  vision    of  Icelandic  travel  crossed  my 


REAirZATIONS. 


57 


mind !  and  how  often  had  I  dismissed  it  with  a  sij^h, 
as  too  much  happiness  to  hope  for  in  this  world  I 
And  now  it  \/as  all  realized.  Was  I  any  the  hap- 
pier? Was  it  what  I  expected?  Well,  we  won't 
probe  these  questions  too  far.  It  was  a  very  strange 
reality,  at  all  events." 

The  five  grand  features  of  Iceland's  natural  scenery 
are,  the  gja  (pronounced  gee-ou)^  or  chasm,  with  the 
kindred  caverns  and  ancient  craters ;  the  fjords,  or 
friths,  including  the  bays ;  the  lakes,  of  which  Thing- 
valla-vatn  is  the  broadest,  being  ten  miles  in  width, 
and  Logarfljot  the  longest,  being  thirty  miles  in  ex- 
tent ;  the  great  number  of  large,  rushing  rivers  ; 
and,  towering  among  and  over  all,  the  white-capped 
jokuls  and  gloomy  fells. 

The  flords,  or  friths  proper,  push  more  than  fifty 
miles  among  the  precipitous  heights,  winding  between 
overhanging  pinnacles  and  through  smiling  valleys ; 
and  on  the  eastern  and  western  coasts,  especially, 
resemble  in  form  the  parted  fingers  of  the  open  hand, 
lying  among  the  mist-covered  mountains ;  while  broad 
bays  open  between  smoking  capes  for  forty  miles. 

Surely,  no  mean  home  had  the  old  vikings  (so 
named  from  vie^  a  bay  or  inlet,  in  which  they  watched 
for  passing  sails  in  that  vast  solitude  of  arctic  storms), 
since  whose  earliest  life  thirty  generations  have  passed 
away. 


i 


I 


w 


m 


i'i' 


m 


llSl  1 


:  li 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Icelanders  discover  Greenland  and  America.  —  The  Wonderful 
History.  —  Mysterious  Disappearance. — The  first  Yankee  b-^m  in 
America,  nearly  Nine  Hundred  Years  A^o.  — Thorfinn  returns  to 
Iceland.  —  Death.  — The  Widow  a  Pilgrim  and  Kecluse. 

IT  is  not  upon  the  island  only,  that  the  Northmen 
of  Iceland  had  achieved  wonders  as  a  nation : 
they  led  a  continent,  if  not  the  world,  in  discoveries. 
For  a  hundred  years  they  had  roamed  the  surround- 
ing seas^  when  there  came  to  its  shores,  one  day,  a 
stately  chieftain  from  Norway.  He  was  accompa- 
nied by  his  son,  without  attendants,  and  with  the 
steru,  sad  air  of  an  unwilling  exile.  And  so  he  was. 
He  had  smitten  down  an  enemy  with  his  blade,  in 
Norway,  and  was  banished  from  the  realm.  Father 
and  son  lived  undisturbed,  alone  in  their  solitude, 
for  three  years.  Meanwhile  the  young  man,  whose 
name  was  Eerik,  had  a  quarrel  with  a  native  of  the 
island,  and  slew  him.  He,  in  turn,  was  sentenced 
to  banishment.  Whither  shall  he  fly  ?  Not  to  Nor- 
way, with  the  guilt  of  both  himself  «>,nd  Thorwald 
known  to  his  countrymen.  He  turns  the  prow  of 
his  galley  towards  islands  somewhere  to  the  north- 
west, of  which  an  old  rover  had  brought  tidings. 

Heroic  young  man,  launching  out  on  unknown  i 
seas,  to  find  a    hermit    home  I      **  Land  I    land  I  " 


GREENLAND. 


59 


breaks  from  the  lips  of  the  fugitive,  after  several  days 
of  wandering.  He  drops  anchor  by  a  small  island, 
and,  securing  his  bark,  builds  his  winter-hut.  Spring 
at  length  thaws  out  the  imprisoned  Eerik ;  and  his 
sails  are  unfurled  for  a  larger  stretch  of  land,  out- 
lined on  the  distant  horizon.  After  exploring  ver- 
dant valleys  with  crystal  streams,  it  was  called 
Graenland,  or  Greenland;  he  shrewdly  saying  to 
himself,  that  a  good  name  will  attract  people  thither. 

When  his  three  years  of  exile  were  ended,  Eerik 
rettlmed  to  Iceland.  A  year  later  a  group  of  gal- 
leys left  its  coast  for  Greenland. 

Ten  years  afterwards  his  son  Leif  visited  Nor- 
way, was  induced  by  the  king  to  embrace  Christi- 
anity, and,  in  spite  of  opposition  from  his  father, 
introduced  it  into  his  adopted  country. 

Across  the  ocean  from  Norway  to  Greenland,  con- 
tinued to  come  the  laden  ships,  till  in  the  twelfth  cen- 
tury, in  that  now  so  desolate  region,  there  were  one 
hundred  and  ninety  farms,  a  cathedral,  eleven 
churches,  and  two  monasteries.  The  climate  was 
then  comparatively  mild. 

With  the  dawn  of  the  fifteenth  century,  the  col- 
on}'^  mysteriously  disappeared ;  and  no  further  records 
of  it  remain.  Whether  the  population  perished  with 
cold  and  famine,  from  a  blockade  of  icebergs,  or 
were  swept  off  by  the  "  black  death,"  a  terrible  epi- 
demic that  prevailed  in  portions  of  Northern  Europe, 
none  can  tell  us.  Mysterious  silence  will  hang  over 
that  grave  of  a  once  prosperous  people,  till  the  final 
resurrection  of  earth's  buried  humanity. 

Four  hundred  years  afterwards  Danish  missiona* 


i 


{ 


60 


THE  ISLAAiJ   OF  FIRE. 


ries  found  ruins  of  churches,  walls,  and  tombstones. 
Upon  one  of  the  memorials  of  the  dead,  had  sur- 
vived a  very  touching  and  beautiful  epitaph  in  Runio 
characters :  — 

"  ViGDis  M.  D.  HviLER ;  Glede,  Gud,  Sal  Henna.** 
Vigdis  rests  here :  God  gladden  her  soul  I 

What  more  beautiful?  a  flower  of  human  love, 
adorning  the  burial-place  of  a  nation,  like  a  fra- 
grant blossom  in  the  silence  and  gloom  of  an  Alpine 
glen,  or  on  the  walls  of  some  old  catacomb.         • 

But,  out  of  this  banishment  to  Greenland,  came  a 
discovery  of  far  greater  interest  to  us  Americans. 
Among  the  colonists  led  by  Eerik  to  its  slopes,  was 
one  Hurjulf,  an  Icelander,  whose  son  Bjarni  at  the 
time  was  off  the  coast  of  Norway  on  a  trading  ex- 
pedition. He  had  heard  nothing  of  the  desertion  of 
the  old  homestead.  How  could  he?  No  mails 
crossed  those  northern  seas;  and,  if  years  passed 
without  tidings  from  the  absent  and  loved,  it  was  no 
more  to  them  than  the  delay  of  the  post  for  a  day 
is  to  us  who  live  by  telegraph  and  steam. 

So  Bjarni,  who  had  no  idea  of  being  left  behind, 
steered  his  vessel  in  the  direction  he  guessed  the  fam- 
ily had  sailed.  His  men  stood  by  him,  more  faithful 
than  the  crew  of  Columbus,  four  hundred  years 
afterwards.  Many  days  he  tossed  about,  going  he 
kne\v  not  whither.  At  last  a  strange  land  appeared  in 
the  distance.  Coasting  along  by  it,  and  repelled  by 
its  forbidding  aspect,  he  sailed  away.  Upon  his  re- 
turn, the  tale  of  his  adventures  was  discussed  during 
the  long  winter  evenings,  in  the  dwelling  of  the  now 


in 


VINLAND. 


61 


renerable  Eerik,  until  his  son,  Leif  Erikson,  encour- 
aged by  his  father's  enthusiasm,  determined  to  seek 
the  far  land.  Buying  Bjarni's  ship,  it  was  fitted  out 
for  a  long  voyage,  and  its  sails  were  spread  for  the 
mysterious  shores.  After  keeping  the  course  Bjarni 
indicated  for  several  days,  he  discerned  the  very  spot 
his  predecessor  had  seen,  which  was  doubtless  New- 
foundland. The  name  given  to  it,  on  account  of 
the  surface  of  large  flat  stones  it  presented  upon 
approaching  it,  was  Helluland,  or  Flat-Stone  Land. 
Pushing  on  westward,  another  coast  rose  upon  the 
unknown  waste  of  waters,  which  he  called  Markland, 
or  Woodland,  from  its  abundance  of  forest-trees. 
This  was  doubtless  Nova  Scotia.  Onward  still,  the 
bold  navigator  kept  his  westward  course. 

A  river,  which  connected  a  lake  with  the  sea,  in- 
vited him  to  drop  anchor,  from  its  safety  and  pleas- 
ant banks.  A  German,  named  Tyker,  who  belonged 
to  the  crew,  came  in  one  day  from  the  country,  to 
which  he  had  strayed,  wild  with  delight.  He  had 
found  and  feasted  upon  grapes  I  Leif,  at  first  in- 
credulous, was  equally  glad  to  find  it  true :  the  coun- 
try was  named  Vinland,  or  Vineland.  This  region 
historians  belie\o,  beyond  a  doubt,  to  have  been  the 
eoasL  of  Massachusetts.  Leifs  brother  Thorwald, 
upon  1  aring  the  report  of  the  returning  explorers, 
set  saii  and  went  up  Buzzard's  Bay,  touching  at 
Martha's  Vineyard,  and  Mount  Hope ;  and  it  is  quite 
probable  that  Taunton  River  is  the  one  up  which  his 
galley  ploughed  its  way.  He  was  afterwards  slain 
by  the  natives. 

The  possible  truth  of  the  following  statement  of 


J.J 


S  M 


1 


s 


m 


62 


THE  ISLAND  OP  FIRE. 


Prof.  Anderson  adds  interest  to  the  fate  of  the  slain 
adventurer.  "  In  the  year  1831  there  was  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  Fall  River,  Mass.,  a  skeleton  in  armor; 
and  many  of  the  circumstances  connected  with  it  are 
so  wonderful  that  it  might  indeed  seem  almost  as 
though  it  were  the  skeleton  of  Thorwald  Erikson. 
This  skeleton  in  armor,  which  attracted  much  atten- 
tion at  the  time,  was  the  subject  of  much  learned  dis- 
cussion ;  and  our  celebrated  poet  Longfellow  wrote, 
in  the  year  1841,  a  poem  about  it,  beginning,  — 


"  Speak,  speak!  thou  fearful  g^estl 


ti 


"  After  which,  he  makes  the  skeleton  tell  about  his 
adventures  as  a  viking,  about  the  pine  forests  of 
Norway,  about  his  voyage  across  the  stormy  deep, 
and  about  the  discovery  of  America ;  concerning 
which  he  says,  — 

•*  Three  weeks  we  westward  bore 
And,  when  the  storm  was  o'er, 
Cloudlike  we  saw  the  shore 

Stretching  to  leeward  ; 
There  for  my  lady's  bower 
Built  I  the  lofty  tower,* 
Which  to  this  very  hour 
Stands  looking  seaward.'* 

These  are  the  last  two  verses  of  the  poem :  — 

"  Still  grew  my  bosom  then, 
Still  as  a  stagnant  fen; 
Hateful  to  me  were  men, 

*  The  lower  here  referred  to  is  the  famous  Newport  tower  la 
Bhode  Island,  which  undoubtedly  was  built  by  the  Norsemen. 


THE  FIRST   WHITE  AMERICAN. 

The  sunlight  hateful! 
In  the  vast  forest  here, 
Clad  in  my  warlike  gear, 
Fell  I  upon  my  spear: 

Oh,  death  was  grateful! 


03 


*'  Thus  seamed  with  many  scars. 
Bursting  these  prison-bars, 
Up  to  its  native  stars 

My  soul  ascended. 
There  from  the  flowing  bowl 
Deep  drinks  the  warrior's  soul : 
Skaal!  to  the  Northland,  skaall 

Thus  the  tale  fended." 


ij  ^1 


M  i^ 


"  The  great  Swedish  chemist  Berzelius  analyzed  a 
part  of  the  breastplate  which  was  found  on  the  skele- 
ton, and  found  that  m  composition  it  corresponded 
with  metals  used  in  the  north  during  the  tenth  cen- 
tury ;  and,  comparing  the  Fall-River  breastplate  with 
old  northern  armors,  it  was  also  foimd  to  correspond 
with  these  in  style." 

In  1006  Thorfinn  visited  Vinland,  in  a  vessel ; 
and  his  significant  name  was  Karlsefni ;  that  is,  "  pos- 
sessing manly  abilities."  And  now  we  have  the  first 
native  American  of  European  blood. 

Gudrid,  the  beautiful  wife  of  Thorfinn,  who  was 
with  him,  gave  birth  to  a  son  at  Straumfjord,  or 
Stream-Frith  ;  in  other  words,  River  Inlet.  This  is 
believed  to  be  Buzzard's  Bay;  and  Strawnly,  or 
Stream  Isle  (because  the  tide  flowed  so  rapidly  by 
it),  "  either  Martha's  Vineyard,  or  the  island  of 
Cutty  hunk  and  Nashawna,  which  then  were  probably 
connected." 


n 


IT" 


1' 


'"•?- 


4 


!  !■  '  •  : 


u 


^:i; 


:     .1 


B4 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


The  boy  was  named  Snorri ;  his  whole  name  being 
Snorri  Thorfinnson,  or,  the  son  of  Thorfinn.  He 
founded  one  of  tho  most  distinguished  families  in 
Iceland. 

Americans  in  Iceland  for  more  than  eight  hundred 
years  I  Where  in  history  is  Columbus  ?  Where 
are  the  old  Virginia  cavaliers  ?  and  where  the  Pil- 
grim Fathers  ?  Who  knows  but  that,  centuries  before 
the  sea-rovers  ran  "  against  our  rock-bound  coast," 
some  more  ancient  wanderer  upon  the  sea  ate  grapes 
on  our  soil,  but  left  no  record  behind  ? 

In  Thorfinn's  colony  were  158  persons.  Seven  of 
them,  including  Gudrid  his  wife,  were  women. 
Three  years  Thorfinn  passed  in  Vinland,  receiving 
visits  from  the  Indians,  who  had  not  seen  any  kind 
of  edged  tools  before.  One  seized  an  axe,  and  ran 
away  with  it  to  the  encampment  of  his  tribe. 
Another  took  it,  and,  as  an  experiment,  sunk  it  into 
the  brain  of  a  companion.  The  result  so  terrified 
them  all,  that  a  chief,  after  a  careful  examination  of 
the  wonderful  instrument,  threw  it  into  the  sea. 
The  sea-roving  Thorfinn  returned  to  Iceland,  and 
resumed  his  cherished  "  life  upon  the  ocean-wave." 
Age  and  a  fortune  induced  him  at  length  to  retire  ; 
and,  building  a  large  mansion,  he  became  a  revered 
patriarch,  whose  halls  rang  with  festive  hospitality, 
rivalling  the  wealthy  chiefs  of  Norway  in  the  ricli 
entertainments  and  style  of  his  establishment. 

He  died  lamented,  and  was  honored  with  a  mag- 
nificent funeral.  His  widow  made  a  pilgrimage  to 
Rome  with  Snorri,  and  then  retired  to  a  convent  near 
a  church  which  her  priccely  husband  had  erected 


m 


MONUMENT  TO  LIEF  ERIK80N. 


65 


Prof.  Rafn,  and  other  learned  antiquarians,  think 
the  evidence  sufficient,  that  the  Dighton  WBiTiKa 
Rock,  on  the  banks  of  Taunton  River,  Bristol  Co., 
Mass.,  is  a  Norae  memorial  of  Thorfinr'i  expedition  ; 
and  the  translation  is  rendered  as  follows :  "  Thorfinn, 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  Norse  seafaring  men, 
took  possession  of  this  land  (landnam)." 

Great  men  sometimes  wait  long,  or,  rather,  their 
graves  do,  for  the  recognition  of  their  greatness.  The 
dream  did  not  haunt  the  wildest  fancy  of  the  North- 
men, just  eight  hundred  and  seventy-four  years  ago, 
that  now  two  nations  would  be  interested  in  the 
erection  of  a  fitting  monument  to  the  memory  of  him 
to  whom  belongs  the  honor  of  the  pre-Columbian 
discovery  of  America,  Lief  Erikson,  the  remote 
ancestor  of  the  man  whose  monitor  well-nigh  saved 
this  Republic.  At  the  head  of  the  movement  is 
Ole  Bull,  president  of  a  society  organized  for  the 
purpose. 

The  famous  Norwegian  poet,  Bjornstjeme  Bjom- 
son,  is  to  write  the  cantata  for  the  dedication  of  the 
memorial  shaft,  and  Griegg  is  to  compose  the  music. 

Col.  T.  W.  Higginson,  in  his  popular  "  Young 
Folks'  United  States,"  now  in  press,  maintains,  on 
the  contrary,  that  Gov.  Benedict  Arnold's  will,  made 
in  1677,  refers  to  the  Newport  relic  when  he  writes, 
"  my  stone-built  windmill,"  which  resembled  struc- 
tures for  the  same  purpose  in  England.  He  also 
insists  that  the  Norsemen  did  not  wear  brass  armor, 
while  old  Indian  warriors  did  have  breastplates  made 
from  kettles  of  that  metal;  and  that  inscriptions 
on  Dighton  Rock  had  the  same  aboriginal  origin. 


n 


4j 


it 


ilfi  1 


m 


-i     :t 


r  h 


*  i   m 


CHAPTER  X. 

the  Sea-Boven'  Ships,  —  An  Illustrions  Emigrant.  —  Interesting 
Ceremonies.  — Tunnlaug  and  the  Poet  Ilafn>  —A  True  Love-Story 
of  the  Early  Period.  — The  Beautiful  Helga.  —  An  Ancient  Poet- 
Laureate.  —  He  wins  the  Hand  of  Helga.  — A  Gloomy  Festival 
— A  Duel.  —  A  Traitor.  —  The  Sad  Ending  of  a  Domestic  Tragedy 
in  High  Life. 

A  NORTHMAN'S  ship  is  among  the  relics  in 
the  University  of  Norway,  and  a  good  speci- 
men of  ancient  naval  architecture. 

One  of  the  Sagas  gives  us  an  account  of  Olaf 
Tiyggvason's  galley :  "  That  part  of  the  keel  which 
rested  on  the  ground  was  a  hundred  and  forty  feet 
long.  None  but  the  choicest  material  was  used  in  its 
construction.  It  contained  thirty-four  rowing- 
benches,  and  its  stem  and  stem  wei  3  overlaid  with 
gold.  Their  vessels  would  compare  favorably  with 
those  of  other  nations,  which  have  been  used  in  later 
times  in  expeditions  around  the  world,  and  were  in 
every  way  adapted  for  an  ocean-voyage.  They  cer- 
tainly were  as  well  fitted  to  cross  the  Atlantic  as 
were  the  ships  of  Columbus. 

"  This  ship  of  Olaf  Tryggvason  was  called  the  Long 
Serpent,  and  was  built  by  the  ship-carpenter  Thor- 
berg,  who  is  celebrated  in  the  annals  of  the  north 
for  his  ship-building.  The  Earl  Hakon  had  a  dragon 
containing  forty  rowing-benches ;  King  Canute  had 

66 


EMIGRATION  OF  A  COLONY. 


67 


one  containing  sixty ;  and  King  Olaf,  the  saint,  pos- 
sessed two  ships  capable  of  carrying  two  hundred 
men  each.  The  Norse  dragons  glided  on  the  waters 
as  gracefully  as  ducks  or  swans,  of  which  they  also 
had  the  form." 

A  graphic  description  of  the  emigration  of  a  colony 
about  this  time,  as  it  is  told  in  the  Sagas,  will  pos- 
sess the  value  of  detail  and  genuine  nariative.  The 
chieftain  Rolf,  or  Thorolf,  resided  in  the  northern 
parts  of  Norway,  and,  like  all  other  petty  kings  and 
chiefs  of  the  country,  was  the  pontiff  of  religion,  as 
well  as  the  patriarchal  head  of  his  clan.  Rolf  pre- 
sided in  the  great  temple  of  Thor,  the  peculiar 
national  deity  of  Norway,  in  the  island  of  Moster  ; 
and  wore  a  long  beard,  from  which  he  was  called 
Thorolf-Moster-skegg(Thorolf  thebeardedof  Moster.) 
Thorolf  had  incurred  the  resentment  of  King  Har- 
rald  H^rfager,  by  giving  an  asylum  to  Bjorn,  one  of 
Thorolf  s  relations,  who  was  persecuted  by  that  mon- 
arch. Harald  held  an  assize,  or  Thing,  and  pro- 
claimed Thorolf  an  outlaw,  unless  he  surrendered 
himself,  with  Bjorn,  into  the  king's  hands,  within  a 
limited  period.  Thorolf  offered  a  great  sacrifice  to 
his  tutelary  deity,  and  consulted  the  oracle  of  Thor, 
whether  he  should  surrender  himself  to  the  king,  or 
migrate  to  Iceland,  which  had  been  settled  by  Ingolf 
ten  years  before. 

The  response  of  the  oracle  determined  him  to  seek 
an  asylum  in  this  remote  and  sequestered  island. 
He  set  saU.  carrying  with  him  the  earth  upon  which 
the  throne  of  Thor  had  been  placed,  the  image  of 
the  god,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  w^ooden  wo  k 


t  ;■ 


I, 


68 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


!■!  !l 


'         I 


mn 


of  his  temple.     He  took  also  his  goods,  his  slaveSi 
and  his  family.    Many  friends  followed  him. 

When  the  vessel  approached  the  south-western 
coast  of  Iceland,  and  entered  the  Faxa-Fiord,  the 
adventurer  cast  into  the  sea  the  columns  of  the  sanc- 
tuaiy,  on  which  the  image  of  the  god  was  carved ; 
intending  to  land  wherever  they  should  be  carried  by 
the  winds  and  waves.  He  followed  them  to  the 
northward,  round  the  promontory  of  Snaefellsness, 
and  entered  the  bay  on  the  other  side ;  to  which, 
from  its  extreme  breadth,  he  gave  the  name  of 
Breida-Fjord  or  Broad-Ford. 

Here  Thorolf  landed,  and  took  formal  possession 
of  that  part  of  the  coast  in  the  ancient  accustomed 
manner,  by  walkinr^  with  a  burning  firebrand  in  his 
hand,  round  the  lauv^s  he  intended  to  occupy,  and 
marking  the  boundaries  by  setting  fire  to  the  grass. 
He  then  built  a  large  dwelling-house  on  the  ehores 
of  what  was  afterwards  called  the  Hofs-vog,  or  Tem- 
ple Bay,  and  erected  a  spacious  temple  to  Thor, 
having  an  entrance-door  on  each  side ;  and  towards 
the  inner  end  were  erected  the  sacred  columns  of 
the  former  temple,  in  which  the  regin-naglar^  or  nails 
of  the  divinity,  were  fastened. 

Within  these  columns  was  a  sanctuary,  on  which 
is  placed  a  silver  ring,  two  ounces  in  weight,  which 
was  used  in  the  ministration  of  every  solemn  oath,  and 
adorned  the  person  of  the  pontiff-chieftain  in  every 
public  assembly  of  the  people.  The  basin  for  receiv- 
ing the  blood  of  the  sacrifice  was  placed  by  the  side 
of  the  altar,  with  the  instrument  of  sprinkling  ;  and 
around  it  stood,  in  separate  niches,  the  images  of 


tl 

n( 


AN  ICELANDIC  ROMANCE. 


69 


the  other  deities  worshipped  by  the  people  of  the 
north. 

The  assize,  or  Herjar-thing^  of  the  infant  com- 
munity, was  held  in  the  open  air  near  this  temple  ; 
and  the  oaths  of  the  jurors  and  witnesses  were  sanc- 
tioned, amidst  the  blood  of  sacrifice,  by  a  soloran 
appeal  to  the  national  deities :  "  So  help  me,  Freyr, 
Njord,  and  the  almighty  As!"*  [that  is,  Odin], 
The  site  of  the  temple,  and  the  place  of  the  popular 
assembly,  were  both  considered  as  consecrated 
ground,  not  to  be  defiled  with  blood,  nor  polluted 
with  any  of  the  baser  necessities  of  nature.  A 
tribute  was  established  and  collected  by  Thorolf 
from  all  the  members  of  his  little  community,  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  temple  and  the  worship 
there  maintained. 


1 »« . .; 


Jl. 


There  is  a  fine  romance  in  the  Gunnlaug  Saga, 
which  flings  a  soft,  clear  light  upon  the  love-affairs 
of  the  Icelandic  Scandinavians.  The  best  of  it  is, 
that  there  is  no  doubt  about  its  reality. 

Thorstein  and  Illuge,  both  men  of  wealth  and 
power,  dwelt  in  the  great  vale  of  the  Boorgar-Fiord, 
in  the  western  part  of  Iceland.  The  former,  who 
was  son  to  the  celebrated  poet  Egill,  had  a  daughter 
named  Helga,  the  pride  of  her  family,  and  the  love- 
liest among  the  women  of  the  island.  In  the  house 
of  Illugi,  the  most  remarkable  person  was  his  young- 
est son,  Gunnlang.  Born  in  988,  he  early  acquired 
reputation  from  his  stature,  strength,  and  prowess, 

•-4s,  God;  plural,  Aesir^  the  Gods;  here  limited  to  the  chief  deity 
by  the  epithet  almighty. 


70 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


<iij      lit  I 


both  of  body  and  mind.  But  his  temper  was  turbu- 
lent and  unyielding ;  and,  being  opposed  by  his  father 
in  his  desire  to  travel,  he  abruptly  left  his  home 
when  only  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  tooV  refuge  in 
the  house  of  Thorstein,  by  whom  he  wti  spitably 
received. 

Here,  while  his  mind  was  instructed  by  the  father, 
his  heart  was  subdued  by  the  gentleness  and  ele- 
gance of  the  daughter.  Living  with  Helga,  and  par- 
taking in  all  her  occupations  and  amusements,  a 
mutual  affection  was  quickly  formed ;  and  the  restless 
impetuosity  of  the  boy  passed  into  the  refinement 
and  delicacy  of  the  youthful  lover.  His  character 
thus  changed,  Gunnlaug  was  reconciled  to  his  father, 
and,  during  three  years,  resided  sometimes  with  him, 
sometimes  at  the  house  of  Thorstein. 

When  he  had  reached  the  age  of  eighteen,  Illugi 
consented  to  his  going  abroad;  but  he  would  not 
leave  Iceland  till  he  had  obtained  from  the  father  of 
his  secretly  betrothed  Helga  a  solemn  promise  that 
the  maiden's  hand  should  be  given  to  him,  if,  after 
three  years  had  expired,  he  returned  to  claim  it. 

Departing  from  his  native  country,  Gunnlaug  vis- 
ited the  courts  of  England,  Ireland,  Norway,  and 
Sweden,  and  was  everywhere  received  with  the  hon- 
ors to  which  his  person  and  talents  entitled  him. 
His  extempore  poetry  was  admired,  and  munificently 
rewarded.  This  art  he  had  early  cultivated ;  though 
with  so  much  tendency  to  satire,  that  he  was  called 
Ormstunga,  or  the  snake-tongue.  At  the  court  of 
the  Swedish  King  Olaf,  he  found  the  celebrated 
poet  Rafn,  likewise  an  Icelander,  and  of  noble  birth, 


AN  ICELANDIC  ROMANCE. 


71 


A  friendship  formed  between  them  was  speedily 
broken  by  a  dispute,  which  took  place  in  the  ro3''al 
palace,  respecting  the  comparative  merits  of  their 
poetry.  Rafn,  thinking  himself  disgraced,  declares 
his  determination  of  revenge,  and,  in  pursuance  of 
this,  returns  to  Iceland,  where  he  seeks  to  obtain  in 
marriage  the  maiden  betrothed  to  his  rival. 

The  three  years  being  gone  by,  and  no  tidings 
received  of  Gunnlaug,  Thorstein,  after  some  delay, 
gave  to  Rafn  the  unwilling  hand  of  Helga,  whose 
lioart,  meanwhile,  remained  with  her  former  lover. 
The  unfortunate  Gunnlaug,  hastening  home  to  claim 
his  bride,  was  accidentally  detained  by  a  hurt  re- 
ceived in  wrestling,  and  reached  the  abode  of  his 
father  on  the  very  day  on  which  Helga  became  a 
wife.  A  nuptial  feast  was  prepared  with  all  the 
splendor  suited  to  the  condition  of  the  families  con- 
cerned. Gunnlaug  showed  himself  on  a  sudden 
among  the  assembled  guests,  eminent  above  all  from 
the  beauty  of  his  person  and  the  richness  of  his  ap- 
parel. The  eyes  of  the  lovers  hung  upon  each  other 
in  mute  and  melancholy  sorrow:  and  the  bitterest 
pangs  went  to  the  heart  of  the  gentle  Helga.  The 
nuptial  feast  was  gloomy  and  without  joy.  A  con- 
test between  the  rivals  was  prevented  by  the  inter- 
ference of  their  friends ;  but  they  parted  with 
increased  animosity  and  hatred. 

The  revenge  of  Rafn,  though  thus  accomplished, 
gave  him  little  satisfaction.  Helga,  refusing  all 
conjugal  endearments,  spent  her  days  in  unceasing 
sadness.  At  the  great  public  assembly  at  Thingvalla, 
the  ensuing  summer,  Gunnlaug  challenged  his  rival 


% 


.*Ta< 


'•I 


i!'      , 


72 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


i| 


m 


4n  :  ' 


to  a  single  combat ;  and,  the  challenge  being  ac« 
cepted,  they  met  on  an  island  in  the  river  which 
flows  into  the  Lake  of  Thingvalla.  The  combat, 
however,  though  severe,  was  indecisive ;  and  a  re- 
newal of  it  was  prevented  by  an  edict  of  the  as- 
sembly, passed  the  following  day,  prohibiting  the 
practice  of  duels  in  Iceland. 

Gunnlaug  here  sees  his  beloved  Helga  for  the  last 
time,  and  in  the  impassioned  language  of  poetry  la- 
ments their  mutual  affliction  and  sorrows.  Restrained 
from  deciding  their  quarrel  in  Iceland,  and  each 
pursued  by  his  own  unhappiness  and  resentment,  the 
rivals  pass  over  t(#he  territory  of  Sweden,  and  meet, 
attended  by  their  respective  companions,  at  a  place 
called  Dynguines.  A  combat  takes  place  ;  the  com- 
panions of  each  party  fall  victims  to  the  bloody  fray; 
and  Gunnlaug  and  Uafn  are  left  alone  to  decide  the 
contest.  The  foot  of  the  latter  is  severed  by  the 
sword  of  Gunnlaug,  who  wishes  now  to  discontinue 
the  combat ;  but  Rafn  exclaims  that  he  would  per- 
severe in  it,  could  he  procure  some  water  to  alleviate 
his  thirst. 

The  generous  Gunnlaug,  trusting  to  the  honor  of 
his  adversary,  brings  him  water  in  his  helmet  from 
an  adjoining  lake.  Rafn,  seizing  tho  critical  mo- 
ment when  the  water  was  presented  to  him,  strikes 
with  his  sword  the  bare  head  of  Gunnlaug ;  crying 
out,  at  the  same  time,  that  he  cannot  endure  that  his 
rival  should  ^njoy  the  embraces  of  the  beautiful 
Helga.  The  light  is  fiercely  renewed,  and  Gunn- 
laug slays  his  perfidious  opponent;  but  dies  soon 
afterwards  of  the   wound  he  has  himself  received, 


I  I  ! 

I.Hil 


''Vi 


AN  ICELANDIC  ROMANCE. 


wten  yet  only  in  the  twenty-first  year  of  his 
age. 

The  remainder  of  the  story  is  short  and  melan- 
choly. The  sorrowing  Helga,  her  husband  and  lover 
both  destroyed,  is  compelled  to  give  her  hand  to 
Thorkell,  a  noble  and  wealthy  Icelander.  But  these 
nuptials  are  equally  joyless  as  the  former.  Her 
mind  is  wholly  devoted  to  misery  and  gloom ;  and 
she  sinks  an  earlv  victim  to  the  grave,  bending  her 
last  looks  upon  a  robe  she  had  received  from  Gann- 
laug,  and  dwelling  with  her  last  thoughts  upon  the 
memory  of  her  unhappy  lover. 

There  were  four  principles  of  domestic  and  social 
life  sacred  in  the  view  of  all  the  ancient  Northmen : 
the  right  to  dispose  of  offspring,  the  father  deciding 
whether  a  child  should  live,  or  be  exposed  to  death 
in  some  lonely  spot ;  appeal  to  arms  for  redress  ot 
injuries  in  battle  and  duels ;  the  duty  of  revenge ; 
and  the  littleness  and  fleeting  nature  of  all  things  but 
well-earned  fame.  The  last  accepted  and  cherished 
truth  was  expressed  in  the  following  quotation : 
"One  thing  I  know,  that  never  dies,  —  the  judgment 
d  on  every  mortal  man."     They  were  ruled  I 


pai 


>y 


inexorable  fate  ;  and  this  made  them  bold  and  fear- 
less in  action. 


Si 


*t   [ 


■;:r  i 


i  '<■  V 


m 


n 


If  HI 


iliii 


CHAPTER  XL 

4  (Gigantic  "Work.  — Thorwaldsen's  Funeral.  —  Common  Phrases,  — 
*  Some  Words.  —  Jack  and  Jiil.  —  Old  Kick, 

THE  pre-eminent  claim  of  Iceland  to  the  world's 
grateful  admiration  is  finely  presented  in  a  re- 
cent article  in  "  The  Edinburgh  Review,"  on  the  firsc 
great  lexicon  of  Icelandic  words  recently  published, 
which  cost  ten  years'  labor  of  love  by  Richard 
Cleasby  of  the  Craig  House,  Northumberland,  Eu- 
rope's unrivalled  linguist,  and  Gudebrand  Vigf usson, 
who  succeeded  him  at  hU  death. 

Mr.  Cleasby,  while  getting  the  materials  at  Copen- 
hagen, March  25,  184-:^,  attended  the  funeral  of  ;he 
illustrious  Thorv/alusen,  a  native  of  Iceland;  of 
which  he  say&,  "The  king  and  qaeen,  and  whole 
royal  family,  were  present  at  the  service  ;  and  seven 
or  eight  thousand  persons  followed  in  the  procession. 
That  may  be  said  of  him  which  can  b^  said  of  few, — 
he  has  not  left  his  like  behind  him." 

After  speaking  of  the  fjw  remains  of  the  ancient 

literature    of    other   countries,   including    England, 

which  are  soon  exhausted,  turning  enthusiastically 

to  Iceland,  he  writes,  "  Far  otherwise  is  it  with  the 

Icelandic,  that  noble  language,  the   sole  depository 

of  literary  treasures   of  Scandinavian  races,  which 

would  have  perished  had  it  not  been  for  faithful  Ice- 
T4 


ICELANDIC   WORDS. 


75 


land."  Every  tribe  once  traced  their  origin  to  Odin, 
or  Wodin.  Dr.  Dasent  says,  "  No  other  country 
in  Europe  possesses  an  ancient  vernacular  to  be 
compared  to  this.  No  romance-literature,  and  the 
homilies,  and  works  of  religious  edification,  as  well 
as  those  on  physical  and  moral  science,  whether 
literary  or  philosophical,  can  compete  with  that  of 
Iceland."  The  reviewer  inquires,  What  could  we 
do  without  such  words  as  call^  skilly  score^  same,  its^ 
mieting^  cast^  skin  (hide  is  Anglo-Saxon),  which  are 
all  of  Icelandic  or  old  Norse  origin  ? 

A  few  samples  of  fugitive  phrases  from  the  lone 
island  will  reveal  further  our  literary  indebtedness  to 
it:  — 

Brag  (to  boast),  Icelandic  hrag^  rumor,  renown. 

C%ap,  kappi^  a  fighting  man,  a  hero. 

Dandy,  ddindi,  any  thing  good ;  ddindis  mati,  a 
worthy  fellow.  The  word  has  certainly  changed  its 
signification  considerably. 

Fellow,  filag,  a  comrade ;  literally,  one  who  goes 
shares  in  money. 

To  go  the  whole  hog.  This  signifies,  it  is  thought, 
to  do  all  in  one  stroke,  "hog"  to  be  the  Icelandic 
hogg.  The  Icelanders  similarly  speak  of  doing  some- 
thing "me  hoggi,"  all  at  once. 

Land-luhher.  In  the  early  part  of  last  century, 
the  word  was  spelt  •'  loper ; "  "  land-loper  "  was  a 
vagabond  who  begged  in  the  attire  of  a  sailor,  and 
the  sea-phrase  "  land-lubber  "  was  synonymous. 

Ninny-hammer  (a  silly  fellow).  The  old  Norse 
used  einn-hammer  to  signify  a  man  in  his  right  senses ; 
with  nei  before  it,  it  would  have  a  contrary  meaning, 
and  may  have  originated  our  word. 


is .   *  '. 
i 
* 


"T.iu. 


^^i  m 


p 

fli 

!  11 

■'  ■  fP 

;! 

76 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


it  r: 


■  ■  i  ' 

iliii 

1;    ■ 

fh; 

H;',' 

1    :: 

'1 
"ii  !|l 
1i  i 

! ,  ^i 


IP 


Ransack :  Icelandic  ramacha  has  the  same  meaning. 

Skulk.,  skelk,  fear,  from  the  verb  skelka.,  to  frighten, 
related  to  skjdifa.,  to  tremble. 

Some  translated  Icelandic  words  and  terms  are 
added  as  a  key  to  many  others. 

The  letter  a,  sounded  like  ow.,  is  river,  and  is  the 
ending  of  the  names  of  the  streams.  Bru  is  bridge ; 
therefore  Bruard  is  Bridge  River.  Hvit  is  wliite, 
and  vatn  water,  which  makes  Hvitavatn,  White 
Water.  Jokull  is  pronounced  yo-kut-1,  or,  in  the 
rapid  utterance  of  the  Icelanders,  yokul,  the  distinc- 
tive term  applied  to  the  ice-crowned  mountains. 
Fell  is  pronounced  fee-et-1,  fee-aht-1,  and  fee-at-1,  and 
designates  other  suiiimits  not  capped  with  snow. 

Bla  is  blue,  suae  snow  ;  and  we  have  Blafell,  oi 
a  blue  mountain,  standing  alone,  an  isolated  peak  in 
the  middle  of  a  plain.  A  celebrated  mountain  in 
the  west  of  Iceland  is  Snaefdl  Jokull  (snef-el  yo-kul').f 
a  snowy  mountain  standing  alone,  and  covered  with 
perpetual  ice ;  and  thus,  in  the  comprehensive  lan- 
guage of  the  Icelanders,  it  is  all  expressed  in  two 
words.  Oroefa  signifies  desert,  or  sandy  plain,  and 
torf  is  turf,  or  peat.  There  are  two  mountains,  Oroefa 
Jokull  and  Torf  a  JokulL;  one  standing  in  a  desert, 
and  the  other  in  a  large  peat-district.  South  of 
Hecla  is  a  lofty  and  celebrated  mountain,  known  as 
the  Eyjafjalla  Jokull.  To  the  English  reader,  unac- 
quainted with  the  Icelandic,  it  is  a  crooked-looking 
mouthful ;  but  on  the  tongue  of  an  Icelancikr  it  flows 
off  a  round,  smooth,  ':onorous  term.  They  call  it  i- 
a-fe-«/ii-la  ^o-kull.     it  defines  itself  as  ice  mountain 

that 


of  islands,  havmg  numerous  knobs,  or  ^^  ..ut^, 


':,j^j.v 


ICELANDIC   WORDS. 


77 


f^iiiui]  up  like  islands  in  the  sea.  Many  Icelandic 
words  are  identical  with  the  English,  and  many 
otheiH  nearly  so.  It  remains  for  some  future  lexicog- 
raphor  to  Bhow  ilie  great  number  of  English  words 
tldfiyiii]  hnin  iUo  Icelandic.  Ilestr  is  a  horse,  holt 
a  hill,  hUs  a  house,  hval  a  whale,  lang  long,  men  men, 
THUdf  man,  sandr  sand,  sitha  the  side,  litil  little,  mikla 
large  (Scottish,  muckle^^fjorth  a  firth  or  bay,  Tcirkja 
a  church,  preatur  a  priest,  morgum  morning,  wa;  ox, 
daga  days.  "July,  or  midsummer  month,"  stands 
literally  in  Icelandic,  Julius  eda  mithsumar-manu- 
thur,  J,  at  the  beginning  of  words  and  syllables  in 
the  Icelandic,  is  pronounced  like  1/  consonant,  and  in 
the  middle  of  a  syllable,  like  i  or  long  e. 

Their  affirmative,  yes,  is  jd  (pronounced  yot^), 
and  their  no  is  net  (nay).  Their  counting  is  much 
like  ours :  einn  (1),  tveir  (2),  thrir  (3),  fj6rir  (4), 
fimm  (5),  sex  (6),  sjo  (7),  atta  (8),  niu  (9),  tiu 
(10),  fimmtigir  (50),  hundrad  ClOO),  thusund  (1000). 
The  date  1874  in  words  is  "  einn  thusund  dtta  hun- 
drad sjotigir  og  fj6rir." 

*' Jack  andJill  went  up  a  hill 
To  fetch  a  pail  of  water; 
Jack  fell  down,  and  broke  his  crown, 
And  Jill  came  tumbling  after." 

It  is  interesting  to  trace  this  familiar  nursery 
rhyme  to  Iceland ;  to  find  there  also  the  origin  of 
many  common  phrases,  whose  origin  not  many  well- 
read  people  suspect. 

Jack  and  Jill  are  mentioned  in  the  "  Younger 
Edda,"  under  the  names  Hjuki  and  Bil  (which  have 
become,  in  course  of  time,  Jack  and  Jill),  as  fetching 

7» 


78 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIR. 


water  from  the  well  Byrger.  They  were  taken  up 
iuto  heaven  to  follow  the  moon.  Hjuke  signifies  the 
quickening,  Bil  the  failing  ;  and  their  attendance  on 
the  moon  simply  means  that  it  waxes  and  wanes. 
The  bucket  of  water  evidently  refers  to  the  effect  of 
the  orb  upon  the  weather. 

It  will  be  seen,  that,  like  the  Germans,  Icelanders, 
when  they  want  a  new  word,  do  not  go  to  some  for- 
eign tongue,  but  manufacture  one  from  their  own 
language,  and  always  describe  forcibly  the  fresh 
thought  or  object  for  which  it  is  needed. 

We  must  even  go  to  the  Northmen  tc  find  "  Old 
Nick."  Ilnikars  was  r  title  of  Odin ;  and,  when  he 
disappeared  before  the  light  of  Christianity,  "  Old 
Nick "  remained,  and  multiplied  in  the  kingdoms 
from  which  he  had  retired.  In  Norway,  No'k  hauf)t«i 
lakes  and  rivers,  demanding  annu»illy  a  human  offer- 
|p|^  In  Sweden,  Neck  is  a  han/lMoniu  young  man, 
with  his  extremities  like  a  horse  j  i  ki/id  of  water- 
centaur. 

And  here  we  Kave  a  bit  of  fairy  romance,  the 
moral  of  which  is  very  beautiful. 

"  Once  upon  a  time,  an  old  priest  wtis  ambling 
homewards  on  his  nag ;  and  as,  towards  eveniall,  he 
ineared  4  pooL  to  his  astonishment  he  saw  a  lad, 
naked  to  the  WAKt,  sitting  on  the  surface  of  the 
water,  hiss  long  ^>lden  curls  flt^ating  over  his  delicate 
shoulders  from  beneath  a  jaunty  red  cap.  The  Neck 
held  a  shining  harp  in  his  hand ;  and  from  it  rang  the 
sweetest  harmony  as  he  chanted,  '  I  know,  I  know 
that  my  Rtnleemei  liveth.* 

The  old  priest  was  indignant  that  a  Neck  should 


ti 


A  FAIRY  ROM  AN  ""E. 


n 


apply  these  words  to  himself ;  and  in  his  zeal  he  cried 
to  him,  '  Why  dost  thou  sound  thy  harp  so  gleefully 
O  Neck  ?  Sooner  shall  this  dried  cane  that  I  hold  in 
my  hand  grow  green,  and  blosvsom,  than  thou  shalt 
obtain  salvation.'  Thereupon  the  gentle  minstrel 
flung  aside  his  harp,  and  rocked  himselL  bitterly 
weeping,  on  the  water.  The  priest  turned  his  horse, 
and  continued  his  course.  But,  lo !  before  he  had 
proceeded  far,  he  noticed  that  tender  shoots  and 
leaves  began  to  bud  forth  from  his  old  staff,  soon 
bursting  into  most  glorious  and  fnu^raait  flowers ;  so 
that,  as  the  old  man  rode,  he  seen^tid  like  some  saint 
bearing  a  branch  from  paradise-  This  seemed  to 
him  a  sign  from  heaven,  direcnng  him  to  preach 
redemption  after  another  fashion.  He  therefore 
hastened  back,  and  found  die  sobbing  Neck  on  liia 
pool,  which  was  full  of  water,  ready  to  trickle  over, 
like  an  eye  full  of  tears  just  ere  they  fall.'* 


■— ?=» — 


CHAPTER  XIT. 


The  Icelander' s  Home. — Dinner  at  Vidoe.  —  Occupations.  —  Dress.    • 
Education,  —  Schools.  —  Pastoral  Care.  —  Sabbath  Scenes, 

ODD  homes  have  these  enlightened  Icelanders. 
The  dwelling  of  a  well-to-do  farmer  resembles 
a  small  village.  The  picture  of  Grettir's  birthplace 
at  Bjarg  will  furnish  a  partial  view. 

"  How  they  build  houses  in  a  country  with  no 
trees  and  no  brick-kilns,"  is  a  natural  and  interest- 
ing question.  We  will  look  over  a  snug  farmhouse, 
and  see.  Its  front  view,  to  begin  with,  is  unlike  that 
of  any  other  civilized  mortal's  home.  It  is  composed 
of  half  a  dozen  gable  ends  of  low  cottages,  all  joined 
together  at  the  sides  into  a  single  habitation,  facing 
the  north.  This  point  of  the  compass  is  the  most 
common  outlook.  On  the  ridges  are  horns,  or  unpre- 
tending vanes ;  below  them,  doors  painted  red,  in 
this  instance,  as  the  dwellings  frequently  have  them. 
Excepting  the  few  houses  built  of  imported  or  drift 
wood,  the  roof  is  covered  with  grass,  and  the  walls 
are  blocks  of  lava,  laid  one  upon  the  other,  six  feet 
in  thickness,  and  four  and  a  half  high,  making  a 
miniature  fortress.  Over  these  rises  the  narrow  arch- 
way of  roo^,  whose  rafters  are  the  ribs  of  a  whale, 
or  whatever  can  be  picked  up,  which  will  serve  the 
purpose  ;   and  on  these  is  spread  the  coarse  turf 

80 


A   FARMnOUSE. 


81 


Tlirough  it,  here  and  thore,  the  light  enters  hy  three 
or  four  inches  square  of  glass  and  the  opening  over 
the  kitchen-fire. 

We  go  through  a  long  narrow  passage-way,  from 
which  are  entrances  to  the  different  apartments. 
The  bathstofa,  or  kitchen,  is  the  most  importa  nt  of 
them  to  a  hungry  traveller.  Around  the  forge-like 
fireplace,  on  the  floor,  or  stored  in  corners,  lie  the 
few  utensils  for  cooking.  These  prepare  the  sago- 
soup,  the  mutton,  stock-fish,  lichen  ,  skyr,  and 
curds.  Milk  and  "  corn-brandy  "  are  common.  The 
lichens  are  made  quite  palatable  by  cooking.  The 
skier  is  a  kind  of  cheese,  made  of  milk  and  rennet, 
and  the  curds  not  unlike  those  everywhere  made 
from  milk.  The  sour  whey  is  the  common  drink. 
The  stock-fish  are  the  cod  and  haddock,  split,  the 
backbone  removed,  and  dried  fresh  in  the  pure  air 
and  winds,  then  eaten  like  bread,  with  or  without 
butter.  The  natives  prefer  the  last  article  »our ;  in 
which  condition  the  butter  will  keep  for  years. 

The  family  bedroom  is  one  apartment,  with  lock- 
ers on  each  side,  under  the  low  roof,  resembling  the 
berths  in  the  ship's  side  of  the  hold.  To  a  stranger 
accustomed  to  more  space  and  better  ventilation, 
they  are  not  at  first  inviting. 

In  the  few  villages,  many  of  the  houses  are  built 
of  imported  lumber;  and  occasionally  one  is  more 
spacious,  and  neatly  finished  and  well  furnished.  Of 
the  dwellings  at  the  capital,  as  he  saw  them,  "  swept 
and  garnished  "  for  a  holiday,  Taylor  writes,  "  The 
best  houses  in  Reykjavik  are  very  much  alike. 
There  is  usually  a  hall  about  large  enough  to  puU 


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THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


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II 


off  an  overcoat  in,  then  the  reception-room,  and 
beyond  it  the  salon  where  the  ladies  receive  their 
guests.  White  curtains,  pots  of  flowers  in  the  win- 
dows, a  carpet  on  the  floor,  a  sofa,  centre-table  with 
books  and  photographs,  are  the  invariable  features  of 
this  apartment ;  and  the  guest  easily  forgets  both  lat- 
itude and  locality  while  conversing  with  a  grave, 
earnest-faced  young  lady  upon  Shakspeare,  German 
literature,  or  the  latest  music." 

The  summer-time  is  given  to  the  business  of  the 
farm,  including  the  cultivation  of  the  few  vegetables 
sometimes  planted  in  the  small  gardens. 

In  the  late  winter  and  spring  months,  is  gathered 
the  harvest  of  the  ocean,  the  abundance  of  fish. 
Men  come  from  a  great  distance,  in  the  darkness  of 
the  long  night,  to  the  coast,  to  engage  in  this  indis- 
pensable yet  rough  occupation.  With  the  meal  and 
skyr  they  get  for  their  labor,  they  dry,  and  carry  to 
their  homes,  the  supply  of  fish  on  which  they  mainly 
depend  for  subsistence  the  rest  of  the  year. 

The  stems  and  roots  of  the  angelica  are  gathered 
for  food,  and  eaten  raw  with  butter,  also  the  rumex ; 
one  species  furnishing  when  steeped  a  pleasant  bev- 
erage. The  lichens  are  an  important  article  of  food. 
Of  the  diandria,  and  other  willows  and  plants,  ink 
and  dyes  are  made. 

To  gather  the  lichen  islandicus  in  the  deserts  of 
Skaaptar-fel,  companies  come  from  a  great  distance, 
and  encamp  among  the  rocks,  transporting  in  their 
panniers  on  the  backs  of  their  ponies  the  gathered 
loads  to  the  factory  at  Reykjavik,  or  elsewhere,  and 
sell  to  the  Danish  merchants. 


f  .i;- 


A    WINTER  EVENim  SCENE.  H 

• 

The  wild  com,  and  other  coarse  products,  are 
ground  in  hand-mills  of  original  pattern,  but  resem- 
bling all  similar  manual  machines.         .    • 

During  the  ^rinlci'  imprisonment,  as  we  should 
regard  it,  the  men  prepare  for  spring  toil,  and  tend 
their  flocks ;  the  women  dress  the  wool  and  eider- 
down, and  look  after  the  usual  details  of  domestic 
life.  i  ,. 

We  will  enter  a  home-circle  upon  one  of  the  long 
winter  nights.  High  winds  toss  the  falling  snow 
from  the  cliffs,  and  almost  bury  with  a  white  mantle 
the  humble  dwelling.  Parents,  children,  and  domes- 
tics are  seated  on  their  lockers,  or  stools,  in  the  prin- 
cipal apartment,  under  the  light  of  the  single  lamp 
suspended  from  the  ceilinP".  A  member  of  the  group 
designated  takes  from  the  shelf  an  ancient  Saga,  or 
Shakspeare  or  Milton,  in  their  native  language,  and 
reads  aloud,  while  the  rest  hsten,  with  busy  hands 
in  various  work.      ^   _  ,      ■     >    , 

Sometimes,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  bc>oks  in  this 
"  sequestered  country,"  recitations  from  some  favor- 
ite historical  poem  will  be  the  entertainment.  Such 
domestic  scenes  have  been  common  for  centuries  in 
Iceland.  *.v  ■  '-ur  ^'  v^v.*-  ^■„-..^"':i   '>■. 

Very  young  children  will  read  excellently,  and 
write  with  elegance.  -^  v 

There  are  here,  as  everywhere,  the  abodes  of  pov- 
erty in  rags ;  ;nd  there  is  generally,  and  naturally, 
from  the  scanty  materials  for  building,  the  small 
houses  in  consequence,  and  the  isolated  manner  of 
life,  great  indifference  to  neatness,  often  repulsive  to 
strangers.    Nor  was  theie  ever,  from  the  days  when 


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Norwegian  vikings  threw  the  bones  at  each  other, 
their  hands  and  mouths  had  picked,  across  Odin's 
hall,  that  regard  for  domestic  refinements,  so  far  as 
external  habits  are  concerned,  to  which  most  nations, 
even  those  less  enlightened,  are  accustomed.  There 
was  a  rough  civility  at  the  festal  board,  and  little 
care  how  they  got  their  nightly  rest. 

Some  travellers  record  a  curious  custom,  which 
does  not  appear,  however,  to  have  been  geneial  in  the 
island,  respecting  entertainment  at  night  in  their  iso- 
lated homes.  When  a  guest  retires  to  his  room,  the 
wife  or  daughter  of  the  host  assists  the  traveller  in 
preparing  for  rest.  After  depositing  by  his  pillow  a 
little  lunch,  the  really  modest  attendant  offers  to 
"  lend  a  helping  hand  '^  in  the  disrobing  for  the  couch, 
whose  covering  she  has  turned  down  for  his  reception. 
When  under  the  coverlet  of  down,  and  sinking  into  it 
beneath  him,  she  tucks  him  up,  and  leaves  him  with  a 
good-night  kiss.  Such  has  been  for  centuries  the  simple 
and  sincere  hospitality  of  the  pure-hearted  Icelanders. 

Around  the  culinary  department,  are  a  bedroom, 
dairy,  fuel-room,  storehouse,  outhouse,  and  sometimes 
a  smithy. 

No  morning  dawns  on  a  summer  night,  unless  we 
dignify  with  the  name  of  night,  twilight  for  an  hour 
or  two.  The  sun  is  high  in  the  heavens  at  six 
o'clock ;  when  you  do  not  look  out  of  the  window, 
having  none,  but  only  catch  through  a  pane  of  glass 
in  the  roof,  or  a  crevice,  the  gleams  of  the  flood  of 
light  poured  over  the  still  landscape. 

Soon  after  the  wife  or  daughter  enters  with  a  cup 
of  coffee  for  refreshment,  before  rising.     Sipping  this, 


M 


i;iii!l!i 


llif 


HOSPITALITr. 


85 


and  making  toilet,  you  emerge  into  tlie  bathstofa, 
and  thence  into  the  glorious  solitude  of  nature. 

The  kindly  summons  to  breakfast  breaks  in  upon 
quiet  meditation,  followed  by  a  retvirn  to  the  bath- 
stofa,  to  sit  on  a  locker,  witn  a  plate  in  hand  or  by 
a  table,  to  be  served  with  a  joint  of  good  mutton, 
skyr,  and,  it  may  be,  fresh  fish  and  milk.  It  has  been 
customary  for  men  to  eat  firit,  the  women  following 
by  themselves ;  not  as  a  mark  of  inferiority,  but  a 
notion  founded  on  their  Hebrew  ideas  of  the  j  roper 
relation  of  the  sexes,  along  with  the  inconvenience 
of  all  eating  together.  Especially  is  it  an  honorable 
custom  for  the  ladies  of  the  house,  when  guests  are 
entertained,  to  wait  upon  the  table. 

Politeness  is  ingrained  in  their  very  natiires.  The 
humblest  peasant  lifts  his  cap  to  another  when  they 
meet.  They  shake  hands  together  with  the  air  of 
nobility.  The  "powdered  weed"  they  carry  in  a 
horn  flask  like  that  we  use  for  ammunition,  and, 
throwing  back  the  head,  tip  the  small  end  into  the 
nostril. 

The  Icelandei's  c)£fer  their  hospitahty  freely  to 
strangers ;  and  as  iii  the  experience  of  a  recent  trav- 
eller, who,  when  he  handed  one  of  them  money  for 
showing  him  the  way  to  a  dwelling,  laughingly  ran 
away,  do  not  expect  nor  desire  compensation  for 
trivial  acts  of  friendly  aid.  Owing  to  their  Hmited 
means,  they  do  receive,  and  sometimes,  like  humanity 
the  world  over,  ask,  a  high  price  for  services  requir- 
ing time  and  toil. 

One  could  scarcely  believe,  without  the  testimony 
of  some  of  England's  noblest  men,  who  were  guests 


*»   '  ill 

h  Ml 

A    i 


t  t 


86 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m 


sixty  years  ago,  that  such  a  dinner  as  we  shall  briefly 
describe  could  have  been  spread  on  the  isle  of  Vidoe, 
among  the  eider-ducks,  by  Stiptamptmadr,  or  Ex- 
Gov.  Stephensen,  who  had  the  sinecure  of  the 
island  given  him  for  life,  in  recognition  of  hiu  "  distin- 
guished services."  Sixty  engravings  hung  on  the 
walls  of  the  house  built  of  stone.  The  governor  was 
dressed  in  full  ofl&cial  suit,  —  coat  of  scarlet  cloth, 
turned  up  with  green,  and  ornamcnced  with  lace ; 
pantaloons  of  blue  cloth,  trimmed  with  gold  lace ; 
half-boots  with  gold  bii:* dings ;  and  three-cornered 
hat  with  gold  tassels.  But  to  the  dinner.  The 
ladies,  as  is  the  rule,  were  the  waiters.  They  first 
served  a  large  tureen  of  soup,  made  of  sago,  raisins, 
and  claret ;  next,  two  boiled  fresh  salmon ;  then 
came  another  tureen,  filled  with  boiled  eggs  of  sea- 
fowl,  with  sauce  of  cream  and  sugar ;  the  succeeding 
course  was  roast  mutton,  with  prepared  herbs  ;  and, 
finally,  waffles,  with  coffee  and  wines. 

The  worst  of  it  is,  it  is  expected  that  a  guest,  for 
the  first  time,  will  eat  freely  of  each  course,  whether 
surfeited  or  not.  To  do  otherwise  would  be  an 
mcivility . 

The  full  dress  of  the  fashionable  ladies  of  the  olden 
time  was  often  gorgeous.  Here  is  a  sample,  bought 
by  a  tourist  half  a  century  ago. 

The  underskirt  iv  of  blue  cloth,  with  a  waist  of 
scarlet,  ornamented  with  gold  lace,  and  silver  loop- 
holes for  lacing  it.  Strips  of  black  velvet  co\  er  the 
seams  the  whole  length,  and  similar  ones  of  blue 
fabric,  stamped,  run  across  the  bottom.  Over  the 
waist  is  worn  a  jacket  of  black  cloth,  having  on  ita 


I-  -■: 


m\ 


COSTUMES. 


81 


front  two  strips,  same  color,  and  a  like  number  of 
gold  lace.  Upon  the"  shoulders  and  back  are  slips 
of  orange  velvet.  The  belt  is  black  velvet,  with 
rich  silver-gilt  ornaments.  The  ruff  is  of  the  mate- 
rial in  the  belt,  black  and  crimson,  bright  with  silver 
lace ;  and,  connected  with  it,  a  tippet  of  rich  black 
and  brown  velvet. 

Plated  silver  chains  and  medals  were  also  worn. 

With  all  these  trappings  upon  a  beautiful  form, 
the  fair  Icelander  must  have  presented  a  'ery  strik- 
ing contrast  to  the  world  around  her ;  especially  if 
slie  were  walking  out  upon  the  lava  pavement,  under 
the  shadow  of  some  savage  cliff,  with  only  the  ever- 
present  raven  for  her  companion.  If  going  to  church 
or  a  reception,  a  cloak  of  wadmal,  fastened  by  three 
large,  convex,  figured  silver  buttons,  was  thrown  over 
her  shoulders.  The  head-dress  was  made  of  white 
linen  or  cotton,  shaped  Hke  a  large  flat  horn,  leaning 
forwards.  On  horseback  (the  side-saddle  somewhat 
like  the  circular  seat  of  an  arm-chair),  she  wore  over 
that  a  conbal  cap,  completely  covering  and  protect- 
ing it.  A  tall  "  beaver "  of  the  sugar-loaf  style, 
without  a  brim,  would  give  a  good  idea  of  this  curi- 
ous covering. 

The  girls  and  boys  wore  gaudy  little  caps. 

The  men  have  not  been  peculiar  and  showy  in 
their  wardrobe  since  the  ancient  days  of  the  no- 
bility and  chieftains.  Their  jackets  of  wadmal 
have  a  resemblance  to  ouv  sacks,  and  their  hats 
to  the  common  felts.  They  are  quite  equal  to  the 
average  American  ph3''sically. 

Their  height  is  medium,  or  a  little  below;  com- 


•I 


n- 


>  J 


CSTS 


I 


ill 


ll!l 


III 
I,'  II 


88 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


plexion  very  light  and  ruddy;  hair  blonde,  and 
seldom  curled;  their  eyes  blue  or  gray;  and  their 
"  build  "  compact,  rather  than  graceful.  Their  gen- 
eral physique  does  not,  however,  differ  materially 
from  that  of  the  Anglo-Saxon. 

Physicians  have  never  been  numerous  in  Iceland, 
for  two  reasons:  invalids  do  not  abound,  and  the 
patients  are  scattered  sparsely  over  the  wild  country. 
Sometimes  the  doctor's  circuit  will  have  a  diameter 
of  a  hundred  miles  or  more.  Four  physicians  have 
the  island  in  charge,  one  each  to  the  four  divisions. 
There  are  no  liomoeopaths,  electricians,  or  hydropaths 
there. 

The  world's  *'  peacemakers "  have  never  been 
wanting  in  Iceland.  No  visitor  to  a  court-room  of 
our  day  listens  to  keener  retorts,  more  artful  eva- 
sions, or  sharper  chicanery,  than  were  heard  in  the 
Althing,  long  before  a  parliament  sat  in  London. 

But,  unlike  our  present,  they  had  no  "  members  of 
the  bar,"  as  such.  All  the  leading  men  were  Iheii. 
own  attorneys ;  from  boyhood  studying  the  verbal, 
and  then  the  written  enactments  by  which  they  were 
governed. 

Everybody  must  have  an  education  in  Iceland.  Re- 
flect upon  this  marvel  of  history,  —  in  such  a  country, 
in  mere  huts,  amid  loneliest,  barrenest  solitudes, 
culture  that  would  shine  in  tne  most  brilliant  circles 
of  our  "  best  society."  Such  triumphs  of  mind  and 
Iieart  as  this  nation  presents  have  no  parallel  in  all 
the  wide  world's  arena  of  knowledge  and  virtue. 

The  school-year  is  from  October  to  the  end  of 
May;   the  remaining  four  months   of  vacation  are 


fii 


1-1 1  iii 


bjMilr! 


EDUCATION. 


89 


devoted  to  rural  pursuits,  in  which  all  classes  are  to 
share. 

After  mastering  Latin,  and  making  some  progress 
in  Hebrew  and  Greek,  with  the  rules  of  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  the  student 
becomes  a  demissus;  that  is,  leaves  school  to  studi/ 
at  home.  Here  he  reads  ecclesiastical  history,  homi- 
letics,  &c.  Some  scholars,  in  addition,  visit  Copen- 
hagen or  Stockholm,  or  both,  to  complete  their 
general  culture. 

Most  of  the  churches  and  families  have  libraries, 
in  which  "  light  literature,"  beyond  the  romances  of 
the  old  Sagas,  has  no  placo. 

A  vast  number  of  manuscripts  on  various  subjects, 
from  Sagas  to  science,  have  been  deposited  in 
libraries  at^the  Danish  capital,  and  transferred  to 
private  collections.  Excepting  the  few  who  attend 
the  academical  course  at  Reykjavik,  the  children  pur- 
sue their  studies  under  the  parental  roof.  We  have 
a  pleasant  sketch  of  this  part  of  domestic  life,  in  Mr. 
Byrce's  "Impressions  of  Iceland."  In  one  regard 
"the  women  of  Iceland  have  obtained  completer 
equality  than  their  sisters  in  Continental  Europe. 
They  receive  exactly  the  same  education  as  the  men 
do.  There  are  no  schools  in  the  islands,  natural^,  as 
families  live  mostly  a  dozen  miles  apart ;  and  instruc- 
tion is  therefore  given  by  the  father  to  his  sons  and 
daughters  alike  and  together;  the  priest  —  where 
there  is  a  priest  —  sometimes  adding  a  little  Latin  or 
Danish.  Thus  the  girl  learns  all  her  parents  can 
teach  her ;  and  is  as  good  an  arithmetician,  jmd  as 
familiar  with  the  Sagas,  as  her  brothers.   Accomplish^ 

8» 


,'  s  1 


Ill 


rr 


M'!i!!i 


90 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


ments,  of  coui-se,  are  pretty  well  out  of  the  question  j 
painting,  not  only  from  the  difficulty  of  procuring 
materials,  but  because  there  is  really  nothing  to 
paint;  dancing,  because  you  can  seldom  gather  a 
sufficiently  large  party,  and  have  no  rooms  big 
enough ;  instrumental  music,  on  account  of  the  im- 
possibility of  transporting  a  piano  over  rocks  and 
bogs  on  the  back  of  a  pony.  Nevertheless,  we  found 
in  a  remote  house  (a  good  wood  house,  by  the  way) 
upon  the  coast,  where  we  were  hospitably  entertained 
for  a  day  and  night,  not  only  a  piano,  but  several 
young  ladies  who  could  play  excellently  on  it,  and  a 
guitar,  accompanying  themselves  to  songs  in  four  or 
five  languages ;  the  Swedish,  as  we  thought,  the 
prettiest  of  all." 

Their  drinking  cTistoms  are  those  qf  the  times 
before  the  temperance  lecturer  was  abroad,  and  who 
has  not  yet  visited  Iceland.  Wine  or  corn-brandy  is 
always  offered  to  guests,  yet  drunkenness  is  com- 
paratively rare.  The/  have  not  the  temptation  of 
social  excitements,  nor  have  they  ever  seen  the  blight- 
ing curse  of  alcohol  as  it  is  forced  upon  our  observa 
tion  in  constant  and  wide-spread  ruin. 


t-  ^!,i 


CHAPTER  XIII, 


An  Icelandic  Funeral.  —  A  "Wedding.  —  Kissing.  — Peril  of  an  TgnO" 
rant  Bride. — The  Parish  Church  Scene.  —  Eeligious  Character. 
—Parish  Register.  —  Yule. 

"TTXE  have  from  a  spectator  a  sketch  of  an  Ice- 
VV  lander's  funeral.  The  body  of  a  sailor  who 
died  upon  the  sea  was  borne  to  the  beach,  where  it 
was  met  by  the  clergyman,  dressed  in  his  priestly 
robe.  The  small  procession  moved  toward  the  nar- 
row enclosure  of  unmarked  mounds,  the  rlinister 
chanting  as  they  entered  it,  joined  by  the  people,  till 
the  plain  coffin  rested*in  its  lava-grave. 

With  a  wooden  spade  he  then  threw  a  little  earth 
on  it,  repeating  words  like  those  in  the  beautiful 
burial-service,  "  Dust  to  dust,"  &c. 

The  chanting  followed  again,  until  the  grave  was 
filled.  Then,  in  silence,  the  group  placed  their  hats 
before  their  faces  in  prayer.  With  a  reverent  bow 
of  respect  and  farewell  to  the  dead,  they  walked  with 
serious  air  away.  To  this  the  marriage-ceremony 
furnishes  a  pleasant  contrast.  The  bride  in  full  dress, 
attended  by  her  mother,  is  seated  one  side  of  the  par- 
ish church.  On  the  opposite  side  is  the  bridegroom 
in  sealskin  slippers  fastened  by  cross-bands  of  white 
tape,  and  striped  garters  around  about  his  legs,  accom- 
panied by  his  friends,  indulging  in  the  common  luxury 

01 


I 


92 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


of  snuff.  The  pastor  commences  the  service  with  a 
chant,  and  those  present  follow  him.  After  prayer 
the  happy  couple  come  forward  to  listen  to  the  long 
exhortation.  The  usual  questions  are  asked,  and  the 
hands  joined  by  the  clergyman,  who  also  lays  his 
hands  in  benediction  upon  their  shoulders.  They 
are  conducted  to  their  separate  seats,  and  chanting 
closes  the  wedding. 

Upon  leaving  the  church  the  bride  leads  the  pro- 
cession, with  her  group  of  female  friends  ;  the  bride- 
groom follows  with  his  company.  After  the  supper 
the  bride  retires ;  and,  when  her  new  lord  "^.rrives  at 
the  apartment,  he  finds  it  barricaded  with  the  fiiends 
of  the  bride.  He  is  not  permitted  to  pass  them  until 
ho  pledges  a  generous  gift  to  his  wife. 

A  clergyman  might  decline  to  maiTy  a  coapis  if 
the  bride  were  unable  to  read. 

The  old  Northmen's  statute  fined  a  man,  for  kiss- 
ing an  unmarried  woman  without  her  consent,  three 
marks  of  silver ;  money  enough  V)  buy  a  suit  of 
clothes.  If  the  victim  were  a  wife  or  widow,  exclu- 
sion was  the  penalty ;  that  is,  'mprisonment  within 
certain  Umits  around  his  home  for  monthrs  or  years. 
Elopement  was  punished  with  banishment. 

Surely  fair  lips  and  peaceful  homes  were  pro- 
tected, by  the  strong  arm  of  the  law,  against  any 
other  arm  more  tangible,  yet  less  dreaded  by  lovers. 
A  kiss  is  now  the  common  "good-night,'*  and  the 
morning  salutation,  and  v.rh8never  they  meet  each 
other  by  the  wayside. 

The  following  story  from  the  Laxdaela-Saga  will 
serve  to  show  in  what  light  marriage  was  regarded  in 


A  MATRIMONIAL   STORY. 


98 


e 


Iceland,   and  in  what  a  very  equivocal  manner  a 
mater-familiaa  sometimes  exercised  her  authority. 

Olaf,  the  son  of  HiJskuld  and  Melkorka,  was 
accompanied,  we  are  told,  on  his  return  from  Nor- 
way, where  he  had  been  to  purchase  timber,  by  one 
of  his  old  sea-roving  friends,  named  Geirmund,  at 
whose  house  he  hid  passed  the  winter.  Geirmund, 
ill  his  turn,  became  the  winter  guest  of  Olaf  in  Ice- 
land, and  soon  fell  in  love  with  that  chieftain's 
daughter,  the  beautiful  Thurida. 

Olaf,  though  he  was  very  fond  of  his  Norwegian 
friend,  would  not  hear  talk  of  a  marria-^e.  Geir- 
mund,  seeing  that  he  had  no  chance  of  succeeding 
with  the  young  lady's  father,  began  to  flatter  her 
mother  Thorgerda,  and,  by  dint  of  entreaties  and 
costly  presents,  at  length  obtained  her  consent.  The 
marriage  was  celebrated  with  great  pomp ;  Olaf  invit- 
ing his  numerous  friends  and  dependents  to  a  sump- 
tuous feast  in  a  large  banque ting-hall  he  had  recently 
erected,  the  walls  of  which  were  hung  with  tapestry 
representing  the  story  of  Baldur  and  the  prowess  of 
Thor.  When  Geirmund  had  passed  three  j^ears  in 
the  married  state,  he  began  to  weary  of  his  wife ; . 
and  Thorgerda  was  at  length  obliged  to  tell  her  hus- 
band that  she  had  ascertained  that  their  son-in-law 
intended  to  return  to  Norway,  leaving  Thurida  and 
her  daughter  Groa  without  making  any  provision  for 
their  support.  Olaf  said  the  marriage  was  her  doing, 
not  his ;  and,  instead  of  showing  any  sign  of  displeas- 
ure, he  was  more  friendly  than  usual  with  Geirmund, 
and  even  mad  e  him  a  present  of  a  fine  trading-vessel, 
being  probably  very  glad  to  get  rid  of  him.     Geir- 


■'Sl 


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THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


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1   1 

II 

liJii  iil 

mund  went  on  board  this  vessel,  and  wan  waiting 
only  for  a  favorable  wind,  when  one  morning,  at 
break  of  day,  Thurida  entered  the  eabin  when  ho 
was  asleep,  placed  lier  child  in  his  bed,  and,  taking  a 
splendid  sword  wl.ich  she  knew  he  set  great  value 
on,  got  into  her  boat,  and  told  her  men  to  row  off 
again. 

Geirmund  awoke  at  the  moment,  and,  becoming 
aware  of  what  had  happened,  called  en  his  wife  to 
come  back,  and  take  Groa,  and  return  him  his  sword ; 
for  which  he  offered  to  give  her  any  sum  she  might 
think  proper  to  demand.  Thurida  told  him  that  she 
would  do  no  such  thing ;  that  he  had  acted  dishonor- 
ably towards  her,  and  that  they  were  no  longer  man 
and  wife ;  and  accordingly  returned  home,  and  gave 
Geirraund's  sword  to  her  cousin  Bolli.  Thurida, 
after  this  proceeding,  could  of  course  re-marry ;  and 
we  presume,  that,  in  those  days,  the  want  of  maternal 
affection  she  had  evinced  by  exchanging  her  only 
child  for  a  sword,  would  not  have  prevented  her  from 
finding  a  second  husband. 

The  Icelander's  religious  faith  has  for  centuries 
been  very  simple,  and  often,  as  everywhere,  superfi- 
cial ;  but  infidelity,  in  its  multiplying  forms  among 
us,  is  unknown. 

If  no  other  volumes  are  in  his  dwelling,  the  Bible, 
and  books  for  church-services,  are  there  ;  and,  in  their 
scattered  homes,  prayer  and  praise  ascend  to  the  in- 
finite Father  and  Saviour  of  all  who  trust  in  him. 

Before  setting  out  on  a  journey,  it  has  been  the 
custom  to  invoke  a  blessing ;  and,  when  the  fishing- 
boat  was  ready,  for  the  crew,  reverently  placing  their 


RKLIGIOUS   SERVICEB. 


95 


hats  before  their  faces,  to  pray  for  suecess  and  safe- 
ty, repeating  ihc  same  ceremony  upon  reaching  their 
destination. 

In  seasons  of  great  calamity,  days  of  public  fast- 
ing and  prayer  were  appointed. 

The  Icelander's  sabbath,  like  that  of  colonial  New 
England,  which  has  not  yet  wholly  disappeared  from 
its  valleys,  commences  at  six  o'clock  Saturday  even- 
ing, and  closes  the  same  hour  the  following  day.  To 
have  made  simset  the  evening  limit  would  give  three 
hours  of  day  in  midwinter,  and  nearly  twenty-three 
in  summer.  Baronet  Mackenzie's  picture  is  touching, 
in  its  simplicity,  of  the  sabbath  scenes,  the  religious 
character  of  the  people,  and  the  pastor's  relation  to 
his  parish. 

"  The  ordinary  service  of  the  churches,  in  Iceland, 
consists  of  prayer,  psalms,  a  sermon,  and  readings 
from  the  Scriptures.  The  prayers  and  readings  are 
rather  chanted  than  spoken  by  the  priest,  who  per- 
forms this  part  of  the  service  at  the  altar  of  the 
church.  The  sermons  appear  in  general  to  be  pre- 
viously composed,  and  are  delivered  from  notes.  Of 
the  style  and  character  of  these  compositions,  we 
had  not  the  means  of  forming  an  accurate  judgment ; 
but,  in  those  instances  where  we  attended  the  public 
worship  of  the  country,  it  seemed  from  the  warm 
and  impassioned  manner  of  their  delivery,  and  from 
the  frequent  use  of  the  figure  of  interrogation,  that 
a  powerful  appeal  was  made  to  the  feelings,  as  well 
/«.s  to  the  understanding,  of  the  audience.  In  the 
ccnduct  of  the  religious  service,  much  decorum  is 
maix^^tained. 


■I 


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M".;: 


if 


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1  ;- ' 

: 


96 


THE   ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


"  The  moral  and  religious  habits  of  the  people  at 
large  may  be  spoken  of  in  terms  of  the  most  exalted 
commendation.  In  his  domestic  capacity  the  Ice- 
lander performs  all  tho  duties  which  his  situation  re- 
quires, or  renders  possible  :  and  while,  by  the  severe 
labor  of  his  hands,  he  obtains  a  provision  of  food 
for  his  children,  is  it  not  less  his  care  to  convey  to 
tbeir  minds  the  inheritance  of  knowledge  and  virtue. 
In  his  intercourse  with  those  around  him,  his  char- 
acter displays  the  stamp  of  honor  and  integrity.  His 
religious  duties  are  performed  with  cheerfulness  and 
punctuality ;  and  this  even  amidst  the  numerous 
obstacles  which  are  afforded  by  the  nature  of  the 
country,  and  the  climate  under  which  he  lives. 
The  sabbath  scene  at  an  Icelandic  church  is  one  of 
the  most  singular  and  interesting  kind.  The  little 
edifice,  constructed  of  wood  and  turf,  is  situated 
perhaps  amid  the  rugged  ruins  of  a  stream  of  lava, 
or  beneath  mountains  which  are  covered  with  never- 
melting  snows ;  in  a  spot  where  the  mind  almost 
sinks  under  the  silence  and  desolation  of  surround- 
ing nature.  Here  the  Icelanders  assemble  to  per- 
form the  duties  of  their  religion.  A  group  of  male 
and  female  peasants  may  be  seen  gathered  about  the 
church,  waiting  the  arrival  of  their  pastor ;  all  hab- 
ited in  their  best  attire,  after  the  manner  of  the 
country,;  their  children  with  them ;  and  the  horses, 
which  brought  them  from  their  respective  homes, 
grazing  quietly  around  the  little  assembly.  The  ar- 
rival of  a  new-comer  is  welcomed  by  every  one  with 
the  kiss  of  salutation  ;  and  the  pleasures  of  social 
intercourse,  so  rarely  enjoyed  by  the  Icelanders,  ara 


.^.^^^^ 


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PASTOR  AND   PEOPLE. 


91 


Iiappily  connected  with  the  occasion  which  summons 
them  to  the  discharge  of  their  religious  duties.  The 
priest  makes  his  appearance  among  them  as  a  friend : 
he  salutes  individually  each  member  of  his  flock,  and 
stoops  down  to  give  his  almost  parental  kiss  to  the 
little  ones  who  are  to  grow  up  under  his  pastoral 
charge.  These  offices  of  kindness  performed,  they 
all  go  together  into  the  house  of  prayer." 

The  young  people  are  certainly  sensible  in  relation 
to  marriage,  which  usually  takes  place  between  the 
ages  of  twenty-five  and  thirty.  In  the  year  1858 
there  were  four  hundred  and  eighty-seven  weddings, 
and  in  no  instance  were  the  parties  under  twenty. 
There  were  tb^ee  suicides,  sixty-five  drowned,  seven- 
teen died  of  other  accidents,  and  nineteen  hundred 
and  thirty-nine  of  disease.  Four  hundred  and 
eighty-nine  children  died  between  the  p.ges  of  one 
and  five,  and  only  sixty-eight  between  five  and  ten. 
Fifteen  persons  lived  to  be  over  ninety,  and  five  to 
be  nearly  a  century  old. 

We  have  a  page  copied  from  the  records  kept  by 
a  quiet,  faithful  pastor. 

There  are  two  views,  through  the  lattice-work  of 
this  record,  into  the  interior  life  of  the  Icelanders,  — 
their  moral  and  religious  culture,  and  the  origin 
of  surnames. 

The  pastoral  care  is  next  to  the  parental,  in  watch- 
ful oversight  of  the  family,  without  interfering  at 
all  with  the  proper  authority  of  the  father  and 
mother.  The  presence  of  the  preacher  is  not  dreaded 
as  an  interference  with  domestic  order  or  social  frce- 
dcm  and  innocent  pleasures. 

8 


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THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


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CHRISTMAS. 


99 


Id  christening  the  children,  the  boy's  name  is  taken 
from  the  Christian  name  of  his  father,  adding  sun  to 
it ;  and  the  daugliter  adds  dottir  in  the  same  manner. 

Yule,  or  Christmas,  has  ever  been  the  anticipated 
holiday  at  the  north,  as  it  is,  indeed,  by  the  young 
everywhere.  In  towns  the  women  go  forth  with 
lanterns  to  the  markets,  to  make  purchases  for  the 
joyous  occasion ;  the  fabulous  Santa  Claus  contrib- 
utes to  the  excitement ;  and  feasting,  wine,  and  rev- 
elry have  been  the  unfailing  variety  in  this  annual 
gathering.  Old  and  young  enter  into  the  festivities 
and  amusements  with  an  enthusiasm  which  lights  up 
with  intensest  social  pleasure  the  long  winter  of 
darkness  relieved  only  by  a  diurnal  noon. 

In  the  marking  of  time,  the  mountains  are  some- 
times used  as  diala,  indicating  by  their  shadows  the 
hour  of  the  day.  The  day  was  divided  into  morning 
vigil,  2,  A.M. ;  mid-morning,  5,  A.M. ;  shepherds'  ris- 
ing, 8,  A.M. ;  high-day,  or  noon ;  nona,  2,  P.M. ;  mid- 
evening,  6,  P.M. ;  night,  8,  p.m.  ;  midnight,  11,  p.m. 
Watches  and  clocks,  even  yet,  are  not  common. 


i- ' 


:)  i 

■^]\ 


:o 


r 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


•   f 
;    i 

1 

1 
t 

i 
i 

1 

1.  .4^ 

IN 

1 

Flienoinena ( f  the  Heavens. —Mock  Swns.— Storm  Kings.— Auro 
ra. — Meteors. —  Tempests.  — Icelander's  Wealth.  —  Domestic  An* 
imals.  —  Swans  and  Ravens,  —  The  Eider-Duck,  and  its  Down.  — 
The  Sacred  Bird.  —  Reindeer. — Salmon-Festival.  —  Sheep  Gath- 
ering. 

THE  Icelanders  have,  for  their  alternately  long 
days  and  nights,  fine  displays  upon  the  skies ; 
while  the  same  kind  we  have  here  are  much  more 
beautiful  in  their  pure,  transparent  air. 

Mock  suns,  sometimes  nine  of  them  at  once,  will 
blaze  around  the  "  king  of  day."  When  thickening 
haze  changes  the  blue  to  gray,  brilliant  storm-rings 
herald  the  conn'ng  tempest. 

Night,  with  the  twilight,  has  her  peculiar  glories. 
It  is  Christmas,  a  little  after  one  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. We  walk:  out  to  watch  the  declining  sun  from 
the  hill.  The  iron  cliffs  are  tipped  and  belted  with 
golden  light,  until  the  brown  heather  wears  a  blush 
of  deepest  hu(5.  The  sea  flashes  back  the  farewell 
splendor,  as  the  orb  sinks  for  a  score  of  hours  be- 
neath the  horizon. 

The  colors  fade  gradually  into  the  starry  night, 
and  away  to  t]ae  north  come  out  the  scarlet  stream- 
ers of  the  aurora.  From  the  zenith  they  stretch  to 
the  horizon,  swaying  and  quivering  as  if  they  were 
moved  by  the  frosty  wind,  until  the  grim  rock  be- 

100 


BEAUTY  OF  THE  SCENERY. 


101 


neath  and  around  glows  in  the  mystical  radiance 
they  fling  over  the  dark  "  Maid  of  the  North,"  as 
the  Icelanders  fondly  call  their  cherished  island.  We 
have  no  more  tha:  *  faint  idea  of  this  exhibition  on 
an  arctic  sky. 

Then  such  meteors  as  dart  across  the  arch,  with 
their  transient  lines  of  silver,  in  quick  succession ! 

But  there  are  great  contrasts  to  these:  winter 
nights,  when  the  hurricane  rages  and  howls  till  the 
lava-houses  tremble,  and  the  heavens  seem  a  fright- 
ful chaos  of  warring  elements;  or  when  the  snow 
comes  down  in  blinding  storms,  and  buries  all  the 
blackness  of  mountain  and  valley  and  plain  with  its 
drifted  wealth  of  crystal  mist  from  the  frost-king's 
arctic  stores. 

The  wild  beauty  of  the  northern  scenery  struck 
the  poetic  soul  of  Alfieri,  as  it  must  that  of  every 
other  traveller  of  genius  and  sensibility.  He  was 
moved  by  the  magnificent  splendor  of  its  winter 
nights  ;  and,  above  all,  by  the  rapid  transition  from 
the  rudeness  of  that  season  to  the  mild  bloom  of 
spring. 

"Oh!  'tis  the  touch  of  fairy  hand 
That  wakes  the  sprmg  of  northern  land. 
It  warms  not  there  by  slow  degrees, 
With  changeful  pulse,  the  uncertam  breeze; 
But  sudden  on  the  wondering  sight 
Bursts  forth  the  beam  of  living  light, 
And  instant  verdure  springs  around, 
And  magic  flowers  bedeck  the  ground." 

The  graceful  swan  and  the  eider-duck  are  the  only 
birds  valuable  to  the  Icelander.     They  fmnish  him 


I 


f! 

: 

i 


'  I 


.:j 


I, 


102 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


quills  and  down  for  his  own  use,  and  foi  market. 
The  swans  are  killed  upon  the  solitary  lakes.  But 
the  harvesting  of  down,  and  the  habits  of  the  duck, 
are  too  interesting  to  pass  without  a  visit  to  their 
favorite  island  Videy.  And  no  better  companion  to 
describe  what  we  can  see  on  Vidoe,  can  we  have  than 
Baronet  Mackenzie,  the  polished,  gentle,  truthful 
historian  of  Iceland.     It  is  early  June. 

"  The  eider-ducks  had  now  assembled  in  great 
numbers  to  nestle :  at  all  other  times  of  the  year 
these  birds  are  perfectly  wild.  They  are  protected 
by  the  laws,  a  severe  penalty  being  inflicted  on  any 
person  who  kills  one.  During  the  breeding  season, 
the  fine  is  thirty  dollars  for  each  bird.  As  our  boat 
approaches  the  shore,  we  pass  through  multitudes  of 
these  beautiful  fowls,  which  scarcely  give  themselves 
the  trouble  to  go  out  of  the  way.  Between  the  land- 
ing-place and  the  old  governor's  house,  the  ground 
is  strewed  with  them  ;  and  it  requires  some  caution 
to  avoid  treading  on  the  nests.  The  drakes  walk 
about,  uttering  a  sound  very  like  the  cooing  of  doves, 
and  are  even  more  familiar  than  the  common  domes- 
tic ducks.  All  around  the  house,  on  the  garden-wall, 
on  the  roofs,  and  even  in  the  inside  of  the  houses, 
and  in  the  chapel,  are  ducks  sitting  on  their  nests. 

"  Such  as  have  not  been  long  on  the  nest  leave  it  on 
being  approached ;  but  those  that  have  more  than 
one  or  two  eggs  sit  perfectly  quiet,  suffering  us  to 
touch  them,  and  sometimes  making  a  gentle  use  of 
their  bills  to  remove  our  hands.  If  a  drake  happens 
to  be  near  his  mate,  he  is  extremely  agitated  if  any 
one  approaches  her.   He  passes  and  repasses  between 


EIDER  DUCK. 


103 


her  and  the  object  of  his  suspicion,  raising  his  head, 
and  cooing. 

•'The  nei^ts  are  lined  with  down,  which  the  duck 
takes  from  her  own  breast ;  apd  there  is  a  sufficient 
quantity  laid  around  the  nest  for  covering  up  the 
eggs  when  the  duck  goes  to  feed,  which  is  generally 
during  the  time  of  low  water.  The  '^  3wn,  which  is  a 
valuable  article  of  commerce,  is  removed  at  two  dif- 
ferent times  from  the  nest.  Sometimes  the  poor 
duck  is  compelled  to  provide  a  fourth  lining ;  and, 
when  her  down  is  exhausted,  the  drake  supplies  the 
deficiency. 

*'  A  certain  number  of  eggs  is  also  removed,  as  they 
are  esteemed  a  great  delicacy.  Our  good  friend  at 
Vidoe  used  to  send  us  two  hundred  at  a  time. 
When  boiled  hard,  they  are  tolerably  good,  but  much 
inferior  to  the  eggs  of  common  poultry.  Swan's 
eggs  are  superior,  and  really  excellent,  when  boiled 
hard. 

"When  taken  from  the  nest,  the  eider-down  is 
mixed  with  feathers  and  straws.  To  separate  them, 
and  make  the  down  fit  for  market,  is  part  of  the  em- 
ployment of  the  women  during  winter.  As  soon  as 
the  young  birds  leave  the  eggs,  the  duck  takes  them 
on  her  back,  and  swims  to  a  considerable  distance  from 
the  shore.  She  then  dives,  and  leaves  the  little  ones 
to  exercise  themselves  in  swimming  about.  As  soon 
as  they  have  the  use  of  their  feet  in  this  way,  the 
duck  return':,  and  becomes  their  guidi'.  Several 
broods,  often  great  numbers,  join  company,  and  are 
seen  quite  wild  for  a  few  weeks ;  after  which  they 
totally  disappear." 


104 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE, 


The  wealth  of  the  Icelandic  farmer  is  estimated 
by  the  number  of  his  horses,  cows,  and  sheep.  No 
8\iine have  an  enclosure  neajhis  house;  no  geese  and 
ducks  float  on  the  waters,  and  salute  him  with  the 
music  so  familiar  to  the  yeomanry  of  other  lands. 
His  Esquimau  dog  is  his  only  domestic  animal,  ex- 
cepting very  small  ones,  often  haunting  the  interior 
of  his  habitation.  Rats  and  mice  do  not  gambol 
under  his  roof  of  turf,  nor  in  the  solid  walls :  he 
does  not,  therefore,  need  the  services  of  the  cat, 
excepting  in  Danish  factories,  in  a  few  of  the  towns, 
to  which  rats  were  brought  over  in  ships. 

The  ravens  in  pairs  make  themselves  at  home 
around  every  dwelling,  to  devour  such  garbage  as 
may  be  thrown  within  their  reach.  You  can  see, 
everywhere,  these  sombre  birds  perched  on  the 
house-tops,  or  ledges  not  far  distant. 

The  raven  held  the  highest  rank  among  birds  in  the 
old  mythology  of  the  north.  We  have  an  illustration 
in  .the  battle  of  Thromund  and  Thorbiorre,  who  inter- 
pret the  prophecies  of  the  bird :  — 

THR. 

**Hark!  the  raven's  croak  I  hear: 
'.  Lol  the  bird  of  fate  is  near. 

In  the  dawn,  with  dusky  wings, 
Hoarse  the  song  of  death  she  sings. 
Thus  in  days  of  yore  she  sang, 
When  the  dm  of  battle  rang, 
When  the  hour  of  death  drew  nigh, 
And  mighty  chiefs  were  doomed  to  die, 

THOE. 

The  raven  croaks;  the  warriors  slain 
With  blood  her  dusky  wings  distain; 


h-:\        \ 


ARCTIC  BfhDS.  106 

Tired,  her  movninff  prey  she  seeks. 
And  with  blood  and  carnage  reeks. 
Thus,  perched  upon  an  aged  oak. 
The  boding  bird  was  heard  to  croak; 
When  all  the  plain  with  blood  was  spread, 
Thirsting  for  the  mighty  dead." 

The  great  varieties  of  arctic  birds,  many  of  them 
the  most  beautiful  in  the  world,  excepting  a  few  gor- 
geous natives  of  tropical  lands,  are  found  in  Iceland. 
Here  the  mysterious  auk  has  had  for  ages  his  home  ; 
the  razor-l)ill,  who,  to  teach  his  young  to  fly,  carries 
them  on  his  back  out  to  sea,  and,  diving,  leaves  them 
to  paddle  or  fly,  as  they  can ;  the  gay  puffin ;  the 
graceful  tern ;  the  piratical  skua,  who  snatches  his 
prey  from  the  bills  of  gulls  and  gannets ;  the  solan- 
goose,  with  black- bordered  plumage  ;  the  magnificent 
snowy  owl ;  and,  to  crown  this  partial  list,  there  is 
the  swift  falcon,  now  the  national  bird  of  the  island. 

The  noble  reindeer,  the  Laplander's  dependence, 
was  imported  into  Iceland  a  century  ago ;  and  in 
some  parts  of  the  interior  roams  in  large  herds,  but 
is  left  quite  unmolested. 

Polar  bears  sometimes  make  a  voyage  of  pleasure 
on  icebergs  from  Greenland,  but  find  themselves  on 
unfriendly  shores,  and  soon  fall  before  the  weapons 
of  the  natives. 

On  the  last  of  July  occurs  the  salmon-catching 
festival.  For  a  few  days  before,  across  the  Laxa, 
six  miles  from  Reykjavik,  and  near  its  confluence 
with  the  sea,  a  net  has  lain  to  keep  the  fish,  returr:- 
ing  after  the  spawning  season,  from  escaping  to  the 
ocean.     Smaller  nets,  upon  the  appointed  day,  are 


ymm 


106 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


li'f 


1 1 11 


11 


stretched  across  the  stream.  Hundreds  of  the  Iceland- 
ers, in  tlieir  ))est  attiio,  on  norseback  an<l  afoot, 
hiisttMi  to  the  banks  of  the  river.  Bishops,  high  offi- 
cials, the  lady  and  her  washerwoman,  all  are  there ; 
their  faces  beaming  with  joy,  and  the  most  perfect 
BO(jial  equality  and  freedom  visible.  Women  of 
rank  sit,  gayly  clad,  in  easy  and  richly-carved  side- 
saddles, holding  in  their  right  hand  the  rein,  and  in 
the  left  a  whip  of  black  leather,  prettily  variegated 
with  the  white  quills  of  the  eider-duck  interwoven 
in  the  braids.  The  woman  in  humbler  life  ride  after 
the  fashion  of  men.  The  gathering  companies  re- 
cline in  groups  on  rocks,  with  their  lunch  of  dried 
fish  and  butter,  or  skyr,  chatting  merrily ;  while  the 
Danes  wash  down  salmon-sandwiches  with  corn- 
brandy  or  rum.  Then  follows  the  fishing.  Into  the 
water  they  go,  men  and  women,  many  up  to  their 
waists,  snatching  at  the  swarming  fish,  and  throwing 
those  caught  on  the  shore.  There  they  are  counted, 
and  thrown  into  the  wooden  panniers  for  transporta- 
tion. Away  from  a  fair  lady's  hand  flies  a  noble 
salmon  at  an  unsuspecting  gentleman,  followed  by  a 
ringing  peal  of  laughter.  After  enjoying  the  joke, 
she  advances,  compliments  her  victim  upon  his  skill 
as  a  fisherman,  and  very  politely  offers  her  hand  for 
a  cordial  shake.  Often  before  three  o'clock  the  same 
afternoon,  more  than  two  thousand  salmon  have  been 
caught  by  the  busy  hands  of  the  jovial  throng ;  and 
the  cavalcade  prepare  to  move  home  .vard  again. 

The  annual  sheep-gathering  has  been  always  one 
of  the  most  exciting  events  in  the  routine  of  Iceland 
Ufe. 


SHEEP-  QA  THE  BIN  a. 


107 


In  the  spring,  excepting  the  few  needed  at  home 
for  milk  or  food,  the  thousands  of  sheep  are  led 
away,  in  long  lines  of  white  and  black,  to  the  inte- 
rior, to  pick  their  food  upon  rocks  and  in  the  defiles 
among  the  mountains.  When  autumn  returns,  no- 
tice is  given  in  all  the  churches,  that,  upon  a  desig- 
nated time  and  place,  the  farmers  will  meet  to 
oiganize  the  sheep-hunting,  according  to  ancient 
custom.  In  the  open  air  the  meetings  are  held  ;  the 
king,  as  he  is  called,  with  two  assistants  appointed, 
and  the  bands  selected.  The  morning  arrives  ;  and 
the  cavalcades  move  to  a  centre  of  the  vast  wild 
pasture-land,  pitch  the  tents,  which  are  left  in 
charge  of  children  taken  along  for  the  purpose,  and 
away  the  practised  shepherds  diverge,  among  loneli- 
est glens,  cavernous  depths,  and  upon  dizzy  heights, 
to  seek  the  scattered  flocks,  and  guide  them  back  to 
headquarters.  Thus  the  search  goes  on,  till  a  district 
of  many  square  miles  is  scoured,  when  the  camp  is 
removed  to  another  point,  and  the  search  repeated. 

V/hen  the  broad  region  of  feeding  is  gone  over, 
the  flocks  are  gathered  in  some  valley,  and  around  a 
large  enclosure,  near  which  are  smaller  folds.  Then 
the  work  of  separation  begins,  each  owner's  mark 
deciding  the  number  to  be  removed  to  his  fold. 
Sometimes  the  same  mark  by  two  farmers,  or  unre- 
turning  sheep,  creates  collisions  of  feeling,  if  ex- 
pressed only  by  angry  words ;  but  soon  all  this  is 
over,  and  social  and  festal  enjoyment  follows. 

The  whole  scene  is  one  of  pleasing  interest, 
peculiar  to  Iceland  ;  and  an  illustration  of  scriptural 
teaching  is  readily  drawn  from  the  narrative. 


■'-■  PI 


J  I  M 

i  i; 


if 


iiiii 


'  I 


ir  1 


I  il 


i\  ■;' 


V. 

■'.: 

)'  - 

t  1 

m 

i?"i^ 

1  ; 

i 

108 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


So  extravagant  are  the  ideas  of  many,  of  the  cli- 
paate,  that  we  n^opy  a  page  from  a  journal  of  the  year 
1810,  which  gives  the  daily  temperature  of  weather 
for  the  month  of  January,  of  one  of  the  severest 
winters  ever  inown  on  the  island,  when  icebergs  so 
beleaguered  it  that  the  open  sea  could  not  be  seen 
from  the  tops  of  the  highest  accessible  mounlaius. 


Jan.    1.  Ther. 

44^    S.S.E. 


"     2.     43°    S.S.E. 


"     8.     37°    3.S.W. 


"     4.     33°    E.N.E. 


it 

5. 

33° 

E.N.E 

(( 

6. 

37° 

E.N.E 

l( 

7. 

34° 

S.E. 

(( 

8. 

36° 

S.E. 

it 

9. 

37° 

"    10.     35°    S.S.E. 


<«    11.     33° 


N. 


"  12.  36°  N. 

'»  13.  32°  N. 

'«  14.  28°  N.E. 

"  15.  26°  N. 

»'  16.  21°  N. 


The  gale  continued  the  whole  day, 

blowing    hard,    with    showers    of 

rain. 
Blew  hard  all  day;  but  calm  towards 

night. 
Fine    mild  day,  with   rain  towards 

night. 
Mild  weather,  with  a  little  rain;  frost 

at  night. 
Fine  mild  weather. 
Fine  day;  a  few  showers,  which  in 

some  places  became  ice. 
Blew  hard  all  day,   with  rain;  and 

during  the  night  came  on  a  gale  of 

wind. 
A  heavy  gale  of  wind  the  whole  day. 
Showers  of   rain;   before  morning  a 

hurricane. 
Heavy  squalls  of  wind  and  rain  all 

day;  frost  at  night. 
Blew  hard  most  of  the  day;  cplm  at 

night,  with  rain  and  frost. 
Mild  weather,  but  frost  at  night.. 
Fine  day;  the  whole  face  of  the  coon* 

try  like  glass. 
Dark  day;  snow  in  the  evening. 
Fine  weather. 
Fine  day;  snow  at  night. 


i!i 


TEMPERATURE. 


109 


Jan.  17.   Ther. 

22°      N.E. 
"    18.     18°      N.E. 


19.  270  S.S.W. 

20.  24°  N.E. 

21.  23°  N.E. 

22.  28°        N. 

23.  33°  S.E. 


24.     25°      S.W. 


25.     27°      S.W. 


28.       8°     N.W. 


27.     10^ 


N. 


28.  8°        N. 

29.  10°        N. 


30.  16^        N. 

31.  16°    E.N.E. 


Fine  day;  snow  at  night. 

Fine  day,  and  frost  at  night;  when 

it  blew  hard  with  hail,  snow,  thun- 
der, and  lightning:  the  latter  not 

uncommon  in  the  winv^er. 
Heavy  fall  of  snow  the  whole  day. 
Heavy  snow  the  whole  day,  and  very 

dark. 
Fine  weather,  but   heavy  snow   at 

night. 
Fine  day. 
Mild  weather,   and  a  little  rain;  at 

night  blew  very  hard,  with  hail  and 

rain. 
Bkw  a  very  hard  gaJe  of  wind  the 

whole     twenty-four    hours,    with 

showers  of  hail. 
Blew  hard  in  the  morning,  but  was 

moderate  at  night. 
Fine  weather;  blowing  fresh,  which 

increased  to  a  gale  of  wind. 
Blew  a  tremendous    heavy  gale  of 

wind  the  whole  twenty-four  hours. 
The  gale  still  blowing. 

*'  "  Sea  frozen 

from  the  land  out  to  the  islands 

(about  a  quarter  of  a  mile),  and 

strong  enough  to  bear  a  horse. 
Moderate  weather. 
Blew  very  hard  all  day,  and  towards 

night  a  gale  of  wind. 


It  will  be  noticed  that  the  lowest  degree  reached 

in  that  fearful  winter  was  8°  above  zero ;  while,  ia 

New  England,  often  the  thermometer  is  as  many 

below. 

10 


OlliSfi 

■■•III 


'I    i 


i        ( 


:!l::l! 


Itiliil 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Fairy-Land.  —  Witchcraft,  —  Berkserkers.  —  Superstitions  of  DomeS" 
tic  life.  —  Signs  and  Omens.  —  A  Gliostly  Saga. 

WHAT  wonder  that  superstition,  in  such  a  land 
as  Iceland,  should  fill  the  untrodden  depths  of 
its  soUtudes  with  all  the  unearthly  beings  that  ever 
haunted  the  human  imagination  ?  that  not  only  the 
young,  but  the  oldest  among  the  scattered  popida- 
tion,  should  look  timidly  into  the  darkness  of  their 
long  winter  nights,  made  weird  by  auroral  flashes,  to 
see  some  apparition  start  from  the  mountain  caves 
and  dells ;  or  listen  to  hear  the  sound  of  spirit 
voices  upon  the  viewless  winds,  as  they  come  moan- 
ing from  the  sea,  '  .'hose  arms  lie  among  formidable 
heights? 

Witchcraft  I  where  has  not  this  delusion  had  its 
day  ?  Even  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  Iceland  had  to 
fight  the  witches.  Who  can  marvel  at  it,  when  the 
whole  country  looks  as  if  goblins  had  been  permitted 
to  build  it  upon  the  ocean-bed,  to  suit  their  own  un- 
earthly fancies ;  reserving  dark  caverns  and  winding 
ravines  no  human  foot  has  threaded,  or  ever  will  en- 
ter ?  For  a  while  they  were  permitted  to  play  their 
wild  antics.  The  infatuation  became  so  frightful, 
\aw  made  it  criminal,  and  its  victims  suffered  death. 

110 


SUPERSTITIONS. 


in 


Matron  and  maiden  sank  under  the  green  waters  of 
the  pool  at  Thingvalla. 

The  witches,  such  as  they  were,  at  last  disappeared, 
as  will  the  revelations,  if  not  all  the  mysteries,  of  the 
"  Spiritism  "  of  our  own  time ;  for  against  the  preten- 
sions of  both  we  are  cautioned  in  the  completest 
Revelation  from  heaven,  of  the  mind  and  heart  of 
God.  Says  the  poet-prophet  Isaiah,  "And  when 
they  shall  say  unto  you.  Seek  unto  them  that  have 
familiar  spirits,  and  unto  wizards  that  peep,  and  that 
mutter:  should  not  a  people  seek  unto  their  God? 
for  the  living  to  the  dead  ?  " 

Inquired  a  traveller,  a  few  years  since,  of  his 
guide,  — 

"  Do  you  believe  in  spirits,  Zoega  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir  I  and  don't  you  ?  I've  seen  them 
many  a  time.  I  once  saw  a  spirit  nearly  as  large  as 
the  Skjaldbraid.  It  came  up  out  of  the  earth  di- 
rectly before  me  where  I  was  travelling,  and  shook 
its  head  as  if  warning  me  to  go  back.  I  was  badly 
frightened,  and  turned  ray  horse  around,  and  went 
back.  Then  I  heard  that  my  best  friend  was  dying. 
When  he  was  dea  i  I  married  his  w^fe.  She's  a  very 
good  woman,  sir ;  and,  if  you  please,  I'll  get  her  to 
make  you  some  coffee  when  we  get  back  to  Reyk- 
javik." 

The  dragon  and  the  giant,  who  guarded  the  island 
before  human  footsteps  were  there,  were  natural 
creations  in  the  fancy  of  a  pagan  people. 

It  was  the  same  with  the  genii  of  Mount  Hekla, 
and  the  blackbirds  armed  with  beaks  of  iron,  which 
haunted  the   ravines  and  caverns  of  that  volcanic 


' ' 


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i      11 


m  '  ' 


I '. 


t 

i 

ii    1 

j  1  'i 

II  j 

■f  |i 

■    '• 

^4 

lUV,..:  .!  '  il 

112 


r/TE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


peak,    forbidding    the    ascent    of    any    daring    in« 
truder. 

The  lingering  influence  of  the  superstitions  of 
ages  T  as  curiously  expressed  in  the  address  of  Chief 
Justice  Stephensen  to  his  countrymen,  durincf  Ice- 
land's only  revolution,  elsewhere  noticed.  It  began,  — 

"  Odin's  goddesses,  Bellonae,  afflict  our  northern 
countries,"  referring  to  the  English. 

Another  remarkable  superstition,  which  Snorro 
Sturleson  ascribes  to  Odin  himself,  was  that  of  the 
Berserkers.  They  were  evidently  "  men  of  weak 
judgment  and  a  depraved  imagination,"  who  became 
almost  involuntary  agents  of  these  apparently  magic- 
al influences ;  while  others  were  impostors,  succeed- 
ing through  the  superstition  and  terror  of  those 
around  them. 

They  were  wrestlers  or  warriors  by  profession, 
who  were  believed  by  magical  means  to  have  hard- 
ened their  bodies,  so  that  they  could  not  be  injured 
by  fire  or  sword.  These  men,  roused  at  times  by 
their  incantations  into  a  sort  of  frenzy,  committed 
every  species  of  brutal  violence  ;  rushed  naked  into 
battle,  and  overpowered  and  slew  all  who  ventured 
to  approach  them ;  till,  deserted  by  the  paroxysm, 
their  supernatural  strength  left  them,  and  they  im- 
mediately sunk  into  a  state  of  extreme  debility  and 
wretchedness.  Many  records  of  this  strange  super- 
stition occur  in  the  old  Icelandic  and  Norwegian 
writings.  It  gradually  disappeared,  together  wUh 
other  practices  of  magic  and  divination. 

A  story  from  one  of  the  earliest  Sagas,  translated  by 
Sir  Walter  Scott,  is  a  startling  picture  of  the  old  su- 
perstitions of  Iceland. 


SUPERSTITIONS. 


113 


A  ship  fi  om  Iceland  chanced  to  winter  in  a  haven 
near  Helgafels.  Among  the  passengers  was  a  wo- 
man named  Thorgunna,  who  was  reported  by  the 
sailors  to  possess  garments  and  household  furniture 
of  a  fashion  far  surpassing  those  used  in  Iceland. 

The  vain  and  covetous  Thurida,  sister  of  the  pon- 
tiff Snorro,  and  wife  of  Thorodd,  desiring  to  behold 
these  treasures,  visited  the  stranger,  who  refused  to 
display  them. 

Thorgunna,  however,  being  pressed  by  Thurida, 
consented  to  take  up  her  abode  at  the  house  of 
Thorodd,  saying,  that,  as  she  was  skilled  in  all  do^ 
mestic  arts,  she  trusted  in  that  manner  to  discharge 
all  obligation  she  might  lie  under  to  the  family.  She 
then  reluctantly  accompanied  her  hostess  to  Froda, 
the  home  of  Thorodd ;  where,  after  the  arrival  of  an 
immense  chest  and  cabinet,  she  displayed  to  the  curi- 
ous and  covetous  eyes  of  Thurida  such  an  embroi- 
dered bed-coverlet,  and  such  a  splendid  and  complete 
set  of  tapestry  hangings  and  bed-furniture  of  Eng- 
lish linen,  interwoven  with  silk,  as  Iceland's  matrons 
had  never  beheld. 

"  Sell  to  me,"  said  the  envious  Thurida,  **  this  fair 
bed-furniture."  Thorgunna  replied,  "  Believe  me,  I 
will  not  lie  upon  straw  to  feed  thy  vanity ; "  an 
answer  that  effectually  stopped  the  matron's  impor- 
tunity. Thorgunna,  to  whose  character  subsequent 
events  added  something  of  mystical  solemnity,  is 
described  as  being  a  woman  of  a  tall  and  stately 
appearance,  of  a  dark  complexion,  and  having  a  pro- 
fusion of  black  hair.  She  was  advanced  in  age, 
industrious,  devout,  grave,  silent,  and  solemn  in 

10* 


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ff Hit'  11 


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I  HE   ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


1:1    ' 


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filViil 


domestic  society.  She  had  little  intercourse  with 
Thorodd's  household,  and  especially  disliked  two  of 
its  inmates ;  the  one,  Thorer,  who,  having  lost  a  leg 
in  combat,  was  named  Thorer- Widlegr  (wooden- 
leg)  from  the  substitute  he  had  adopted;  the 
other,  Thorer's  wife,  Thorgrima,  called  Galldrakinna 
(wicked  sorceress)  from  her  supposed  skill  in  en- 
chantments. Kiarten,  the  son  of  Thurida,  a  boy  of 
excellent  promise,  was  the  only  person  of  the  house- 
hold to  whom  Thorunna  showed  much  affection ;  and 
she  was  much  vexed,  at  times,  when  the  capricious 
petulance  of  the  child  made  indifferent  return  for 
her  kindness. 

After  this  myste^ "  ous  stranger  had  dwelt  at  Froda 
for  some  time,  and  while  she  was  laboring  in  the 
hay-field  with  other  members  of  the  family,  a  sudden 
cloud  from  the  northern  mountain  led  Thorodd  to 
anticipate  a  heavy  shower.  He  instantly  commanded 
the  hay-workers  to  pile  up  in  ricks  the  quantity 
which  each  had  been  engaged  in  turning  to  the 
wind.  It  was  afterwards  remembered  that  Thor- 
gunna  did  not  pile  up  her  portion,  but  left  it  spread 
on  the  field.  The  cloud  approached  with  great  ce- 
lerity, and  sunk  so  heavily  around  the  farm  that  it 
was  scarce  possible  to  see  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
field.  A  heavy  shower  next  descended ;  and  so  soon 
as  the  clouds  broke  away,  and  the  sun  shone  forth,  it 
was  observed  that  it  had  rained  blood.  That  which 
fell  i.pon  the  ricks  of  the  other  laborers  soon  dried 
up;  but  what  Thorgunna  had  wrought  upon  re- 
mained wet  with  gore.  The  unfortunate  Hebridean, 
appalled  at  the  omen,  betook  herself  to  her  bed,  and 


f 


^  I 


aUPERSTlTIONS. 


11.1 


ivas  s«jized  with  a  mortal  illness.  On  the  approach 
Df  death,  she  summoned  Thorodd,  her  landlord,  and 
intrusted  to  him  the  disposition  of  her  property  and 
effects.  "  Let  my  body,"  said  she,  *'  be  transported 
to  Skalholt ;  for  my  mind  presages  that  in  that  place 
shall  be  founded  the  most  distinguished  church  in 
this  island.  Let  my  golden  ring  be  given  to  the 
priests  who  shall  celebrate  my  obsequies;  and  do 
thou  indemnify  thyself  for  the  funeral  charges  out 
of  my  remaining  effects.  To  thy  wife  I  bequeath 
my  purple  mantle,  in  order  that,  by  this  sacrifice  to 
her  avarice,  I  may  secure  the  right  of  disposing  of 
the  rest  of  my  effects  at  my  own  pleasure.  But  for 
my  bed,  with  its  coverings,  hangings,  and  furniture, 
I  entreat  they  may  all  be  consigned  to  the  flames.  I 
do  not  desire  this  because  I  envy  any  one  the  pos- 
session of  these  things  after  my  death,  but  because 
I  wish  those  evils  to  be  avoided  which  I  plainly  fore- 
see will  happen  if  my  will  be  altered  in  the  slightest 
particular."  Thorodd  promised  faithfully  to  exe- 
cute this  extraordinary  testament  in  the  most  pointed 
manner.  Accordingly,  so  soon  as  Thorgunna  was 
dead,  her  faithful  executor  prepared  a  pile  for  burn- 
ing her  splendid  bed.  Thurida  entered,  and  learned 
with  anger  and  astonishment  the  purpose  of  these 
preparations.  To  the  remonstrances  of  her  husband, 
she  answered,  that  the  menaces  of  future  danger 
were  only  caused  by  Thorgunna's  selfish  envy,  vi'^ho 
iid  not  wish  any  one  should  enjoy  her  treasures  after 
her  decease.  Then,  finding  Thorodd  insensible  to 
argument,  she  had  recourse  to  caresses  and  blandish- 
ments, and  at  length  extorted  permission  to  separate 


! 


■h-'f 


I  ill: IP 


116 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


from  the  rest  of  the  bed-furniture  the  tapestried  cur- 
tains and  coverlet ;  the  rest  was  consigned  to  the 
flames,  in  obedience  to  the  will  of  the  testator.  The 
body  of  Thorgunna,  being  wrapped  in  new  linen,  and 
placed  in  a  coffin,  was  next  to  be  transported,  through 
the  precipices  and  morasses  of  Iceland,  to  the  distant 
district  she  had  assigned  for  her  place  of  sepulture. 
A  remarkable  incident  occurred  on  the  way.  The 
transporters  of  the  body  arrived  at  evening  late, 
weary,  and  drenched  with  rain,  in  a  house  called 
Net!  er-Ness,  where  the  niggard  hospitality  of  the 
proprietor  only  afforded  them  house-room,  without 
any  supply  of  food  or  fuel.  But,  so  soon  as  they 
entered,  an  unwonted  noise  was  heard  in  the  kitchen 
of  the  mansion,  and  the  figure  of  a  woman,  soon  rec- 
ognized to  be  the  deceased  Thorgunna,  was  seen 
busily  employed  in  preparing  victuals.  Their  inhos- 
pitable landlord,  being  made  acquainted  with  this 
frightful  circumstance,  readily  agreed  to  supply 
every  refreshment  that  was  necessary ;  on  which  the 
vision  instantly  disappeared.  The  apparition  having 
become  public,  they  had  no  reason  to  ask  twice  for 
hospitality,  as  they  proceeded  on  their  journey,  and 
arrived  safely  at  Skalholt,  where  Thorgunna,  with 
all  due  ceremonies  of  religion,  was  deposited  quietly 
in  the  grave.  But  the  consequences  of  the  breach 
of  her  testament  were  felt  severely  at  Froda. 

On  the  night  when  the  conductors  of  Thorgunna's 
funeral  returned  to  Froda,  there  appeared,  visible  to 
all  who  were  present,  a  meteor,  or  spectral  appear- 
ance resembling  a  half-moon,  which  glided  around 
the  boarded  walls  of  the  mansion  in  an  opposite  di 


SUPERSTITIONS. 


117 


rection  to  the  course  of  the  sun,  and  continued  to 
perform  its  revolutions  until  the  domestics  retired  to 
rest.  This  apparition  was  renewed  every  night  dur- 
ing a  whole  week,  and  was  pronounced  by  Thorer  to 
presage  pestilence  or  mortality.  Shortly  after  a 
herdsman  showed  signs  of  mental  alienation,  and 
gave  various  indications  of  having  sustained  the 
persecutions  of  evil  demons.  Thi.  man  was  found 
dead  in  his  bed  one  morning ;  and  then  commenced 
a  scene  of  ghost-seeing  unheard  of  in  the  annals  of 
superstition.  The  first  victim  was  Thorer,  who  had 
presaged  the  calamity.  Going  out  of  doors  one 
evening,  he  was  grappled  by  the  spectre  of  the  de- 
ceased shepherd  as  he  attempted  to  re-enter  the 
house.  His  wooden  leg  stood  him  in  poor  stead  in 
such  an  encounter :  he  was  hurled  to  the  earth,  and 
so  fearfully  beaten  that  he  died  in  consequence  of 
the  bruises.  Thorer  was  no  sooner  dead  than  his 
ghost  associated  itself  to  that  of  the  herdsman,  and 
joined  him  in  pursuing  and  assaulting  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Froda.  Meantime  an  infectious  disorder 
spread  fast  among  them,  and  several  of  the  bonds- 
men died  one  after  the  other.  Strange  portents 
were  seen  within  doors.  The  meal  was  displaced 
and  mingled,  and  the  dried  fish  flung  about  in  a  most 
alarming  manner,  without  any  visible  agent.  At 
length,  while  the  servants  were  forming  their  even- 
mg  circle  around  the  fire,  a  spectre,  resembling  the 
head  of  a  seal-fish,  was  seen  to  emerge  out  of  the 
pavement  of  the  room,  bending  its  round  black  eyes 
full  upon  the  tapestried  bed-curtains  of  Thorgunaa. 
Some  of  the  domestics  ventured  to  strike  at  this  fig- 


%pi 


i 


m 


I     !:■ 


118 


TffE   ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


ure ;  but,  far  from  giving  way,  it  erected  itself  far- 
ther from  the  door,  until  Kiarten,  who  seemed  to 
have  a  natural  predominance  over  these  supernatural 
prodigies,  seizing  a  huge  forge-hammer,  struck  the 
seal  repeatedly  on  the  head,  and  compelled  it  to  dis- 
appear, forcing  it  down  into  the  floor  as  if  he  had 
diiven  a  stake  into  the  earth.  This  {)rodigy  was 
found  to  intimate  a  new  calamity.  Thorodd,  the 
master  of  the  family,  had  some  time  before  set  out 
on  a  voyage  to  bring  home  a  cargo  of  dried  fish ; 
but,  in  crossing  the  river  Enna,  the  skiff  was  lost, 
and  he  perished  with  the  servants  who  attended  him. 
A  solemn  funeral  feast  was  held  at  Froda,  in  memory 
of  the  deceased,  when,  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
guests,  the  apparitir-n  of  Thorodd  and  his  followers 
seemed  to  enter  the  apartment,  dripping  with  water. 
Yet  this  vision  excited  less  horror  than  might  have 
been  expected ;  for  the  Icelanders,  though  nominally 
Christians,  retained,  among  other  pagan  superstitions, 
a  belief  that  the  spectres  of  such  drowned  persons 
as  had  been  favorably  received  by  the  goddess  Rana 
were  w  jut  to  show  themselves  at  their  funeral  feast. 
Tiiey  saw,  therefore,  with  some  composure,  Thorodd 
and  his  dripping  attendants  plant  themselves  by  the 
fire,  from  which  all  mortal  guests  retreated  to  make 
room  for  them.  It  was  supposed  that  this  apparition 
would  not  be  renewed  after  the  conclusion  of  the  fes- 
tival ;  but  so  far  were  their  he  pes  disappointed,  that, 
so  sooR  as  the  mourning  guests  had  departed,  the 
fires  being  lighted,  Thorodd  and  his  companions 
marched  in  on  one  side,  drenched,  as  before,  with 
water;   od  the  other  entered  Thorer,  heading  all 


BUPERSTJTJONS. 


119 


those  who  had  died  in  the  pestilence,  and  who  ap- 
peared covered  witli  dust. 

Both  parties  seized  the  seats  by  the  fire,  while  the 
half-frozen  and  terrified  domestics  spent  the  night 
with  neither  light  nor  warmth.  The  same  phenome- 
non took  place  the  next  night,  though  the  fires  had 
been  lighted  in  a  separate  house  ;  and  at  length 
Kiarten  was  obliged  to  compound  matters  with  the 
spectres,  by  kindling  a  large  fire  for  them  in  the 
principal  apartment,  and  one  for  the  family  and  do- 
mestics in  a  separate  hut.  This  prodigy  continued 
during  the  whole  feast  of  Jol.  Other  portents  also 
happened  to  appall  this  devoted  family.  The  conta- 
gious disease  again  broke  forth  ;  and,  when  any  one 
fell  a  sacrifice  to  it,  his  spectre  was  sure  to  join  the 
troop  of  persecutors,  who  had  now  almost  full  pos- 
session of  the  mansion  of  Froda.  Thorgrima  Gall- 
drakinna,  wife  of  Thorer,  was  one  of  these  victims ; 
and,  in  short,  of  thirty  servants  belonging  to  the 
household,  eighteen  died,  and  five  fled  for  fear  of 
the  apparitions,  so  that  only  seven  remained  in  the 
service  of  Kiarten. 

Kiarten  had  now  recourse  to  the  advice  of  his  ma- 
ternal Uncle  Snorro  ;  in  consequence  of  whose  coun- 
sel, what  will  perhaps  appear  surprising  to  the  reader, 
judicial  measures  were  instituted  against  the  spec- 
tres. A  Christian  priest  was,  however,  associated 
with  Thordo  Kausa,  son  of  Snorro,  and  with  Kiarten, 
to  superintend  and  sanctify  the  proceedings.  The 
inhabitants  were  regularly  summoned  to  attend  upon 
the  inquest,  as  in  a  cause  between  man  and  man ; 
and  the  ;;^sem     "  was  constituted  before  the  gate  of 


ir 


fi 


120 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


■:     1- 


m 


the  mansion  just  as  the  spectres  had  assumed  theii 
wonted  station  by  the  fire .  Kiarten  boldly  ventured 
to  approach  them ;  and,  snatching  a  brand  from  the 
fire,  he  commanded  the  tapestry  belonging  to  Thor- 
gunna  to  be  carried  out  of  doors,  set  fire  to  it,  and 
reduced  it  to  ashes,  with  all  the  other  ornaments 
of  her  bed  which  had  been  so  inconsiderately 
preserved  at  the  request  of  Thurida.  A  tribunal 
being  then  constituted,  with  the  usual  legal  solemni- 
ties, a  charge  was  preferred  by  Kiarten  against 
Thorer  with  the  wooden  leg,  hy  Thordo  Kausa 
against  Thorodd,  and  by  others  chosen  as  accusers 
against  the  individual  spectres  present ;  accusing 
them  of  molestmg  the  mansion,  and  introducing 
death  and  disease  among  its  inhabitants.  All  the 
solemn  rites  of  judicial  procedure  were  observed  on 
this  singular  occasion ;  evidence  was  adduced,  charges 
given,  and  the  cause  formally  decided.  It  does  not 
appear  that  the  ghosts  put  themselves  on  their 
defence;  so  that  sentence  of  ejectment  was  pro- 
nounced against  them  individually,  in  due  and  legal 
form.  When  Thorer  heard  the  judgment,  he  arose, 
and,  saying,  "  I  have  s'-.fc  wli,  e  it  was  lawful  for  me 
to  do  so,"  left  the  apartmej'o  by  the  door  opposite  to 
that  at  which  the  judicial  assembly  was  constituted. 
Each  of  the  spectres,  as  they  heard  theh*  individual 
sentence,  left  the  place,  saying  something  which  in- 
dicated their  unwillingness  to  depart,  until  Thorodd 
himself  was  solemnly  appointed  to  depart.  "  We 
have  here  no  longer,"  said  he,  "  a  peaceful  dwelling : 
therefore  will  we  remove,"  Kiarten  then  entered 
the  hall  with  his  followers,  and  the  priest  with  holy 


SUPERSTITfONS. 


121 


water ;  and  celebration  of  a  solemn  mass  completed 
the  conquest  over  the  goblins,  which  had  been  com- 
menced by  the  power  and  authority  of  the  Icelandic 
law. 

This  scene  is  located  north-west  of  Reykjavik,  in 
Snaefells  Syssel.  In  the  vales  and  on  the  slopes  in 
the  south  of  the  island,  looking  out  upon  the  West- 
man  Isles,  by  the  rivers  Markfleet  and  Afall,  are 
Hildarende  and  Lithend,  a  dozen  miles  apart,  the 
homes,  in  the  ancient  days,  of  the  unrivalled  lawyer 
Najal,  and  his  friend  the  chivalrous,  popular  hero 
Gunnar.  Fire  and  flood  have  here  made  desolate 
some  of  the  fairest  dales  and  most  extensive  plains  of 
Iceland.* 

*  See  supplemental  chapter. 


S1 

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M($sfel!. 


"O 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

•The  Ride  from  Reykjavik.  —  Yankee  Doodle.  —  Boautiftd 
Mitlnight-Scene.  —  Sontareh,  or  Son' a  Loss. 

FF  at  last  I  "  exclaimed  the  leader  of  a  com- 
pany, on  a  June  morning,  as  their  horses  with 
a  bound,  and  frisk  of  their  bushy  tails,  started  from 
Reykjavik,  for  Mosfell  and  the  north  of  Iceland. 

One  smiles  at  the  mention  of  Icelandic  roadsy  as 
he  looks  along  the  narrow,  rough,  and  crooked  path- 
way. The  very  track  every  spring-thaw  washes 
out ;  and  it  can  be  found  again  only  by  the  barthur^ 
which  are  turf-heaps,  or  blocks  of  basalt,  laid  upon 
each  other  on  the  top  of  rocks ;  or  by  kerllnger^ 
which  are  pyramids  of  stone.  These  paths  are  gen- 
erally paved^  but  very  much  as  the  streets  of  a  city 
would  be,  if  the  stones  were  left  as  they  were 
"dumped"  from  the  cart.  The  ponies  scramble 
over  the  sharp  pavements  of  lava,  where  a  man 
could  scarcely  pick  his  way.  In  this  party  was  an 
American,  who  sang  with  a  will  "  Yankee  Doodle," 
ringing  out  from  the  general  schoolboy  jollity. 
Soon  the  way  was  pathless,  and  beneath  high  bluffs, 
under  whose  shadow  the  wild  duck  was  rocldng  on 
the  crisp  waves  of  the  fiord ;  lava  ridges  were  covered 

witli  ravens ;  a  hot  spring  was  smoking  at  their  base ; 
Its 


MOSSFELL. 


123 


then  greets  the  eye  a  byre,  whose  grass-phit  was 
spritiklod  with  gohhMi  cups. 

Further  on  for  a  few  miles,  over  a  rivor-travorv^od 
waste  of  bogs,  and  the  spire  of  the  ohi  church  of 
MosfcU  bui-st  on  the  sight,  "ith  its  parsonage  near. 

Mosfell,  pronounced  Mosfetl,  is  a  several-hours' 
ride  from  the  capital,  in  a  north-easterly  direction. 
The  day  waned,  and  on  the  turf  rose  the  tents  in 
the  stillness  of  an  arctic  midnight.  "  The  sky  wsis 
flooded  with  light,  toning  the  azure  to  the  tendcrest 
green.  Clouds  were  transmuted  to  rose-flakes,  and 
mist  to  a  nebulous  haze  of  flame ;  some  ragged 
cloud  patches,  high  above  the  mountain  peaks, 
flamed  like  gold  in  the  furnace,  their  shadows 
picked  out  with  carmine.  A  crown  of  rays,  extend- 
ing to  tliC  zenith,  streamed  from  behind  Esjt'i,  which 
was  thrown  into  gray  shadow.  Rock  and  mounUiin 
were  distinct,  as  though  seen  through  an  opera-glass; 
every  crag  and  furrow  was  pencilled  with  wondrous 
minuteness,  each  mountain-toj)  cutting  against  tiie 
sky  with  intense  i^recision.  Though  no  direct  rays 
of  sun  touched  the  earth,  yet  the  reflected  light 
from  above  made  every  thing  even  clearer  than  by 
day,  when  a  slight  haze  softens  outlines,  and  blends 
colore. 

*'  The  most  perfect  stillness  reigned,  onlj-^  broken 
by  tha  rippling  of  the  stream  over  a  bank  of  pebbleSi 
before  it  hushed  its  murmurs  in  the  bogs." 

Connected  with  Mosfell,  is  a  beautiful  story  from 
the  Aigla  Saga.  The  hero  of  it  fought  Ivinj* 
Atholstau  of  Scotland,  and  slew  Bloodaxe  of  Nor* 
way. 


'!■    i:i 


iK   1    1      il' 


r. 


in 


124  THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 

SONARTOEBEK,  OR  THE  SON'S  LOSS. 
(A.D.  976.) 

On  a  day  in  the  summer  of  975,  five  houso- 
churls,  belonging  to  Egill  Skallagrimsson,  rowed  to 
a  merchant-vessel  stationed  in  the  Borgar  Fjord,  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Hvitd,  or  White  River.  With  them 
was  Bothvar,  a  son  of  Egill. 

The  boat  started  at  high  tide,  which  was  in  the 
evening,  and  remained  alongside  of  the  ship  for  a 
considerable  time,  whilst  divers  articles  purchased 
by  Egill  were  handed  down  the  side,  and  deposited 
in  her. 

During  the  time  that  the  churls  were  thus  em- 
ployed, a  fierce  wind  had  risen,  and  now  rolled  the 
sea  before  it  in  tumultuous  billows,  which,  meeting 
the  out-current  of  the  river,  after  turn  of  tide, 
formed  eddies  which  ingulfed  the  boat  on  her 
return,  and  every  soul  on  board  perished. 

Next  morning  the  bodies  were  washed  in  the 
iQord ;  that  of  Bothvar  by  Einar's-ness,  the  others 
along  the  southern  strand ;  and  the  boat  was  found 
on  the  beach  under  the  Smoking-crags.  On  the 
same  day  Egill  heard  the  news.  He  mounted  his 
horse,  and  rode  in  search  of  the  corpses ;  that  of 
his  son  he  found  lying  uninjured  on  the  shingle, 
laced  round  with  sea-tangles.  He  lifted  it  on  his 
knee,  brushed  the  sodden  hair  from  the  young  face, 
placed  it  in  front  of  his  saddle,  mounted  himself, 
and  rode  with  the  body  of  his  son  wrapped  in  his 
arms  to  Digranas,  where  stood  the  cairn  of  his 
father  Skallagrim.    Egill  fetched  a  spade,  and  dug 


80NART0RREK. 


125 


into  the  mound  :  he  was  occupied  the  whol«  of  the 
afternoon  at  this  work  ;  and  in  the  evening  he  had 
reached  the  wooden  chamber  wherein  lay  '.he  an- 
cient warrior,  busked  for  the  last  battle  at  the 
"  Twilight  of  the  Gods,"  with  casque  about  his  brows, 
and  sword  between  his  hands.  Egill  bore  the  corpse 
of  his  child  into  the  tomb,  and  laid  it  by  that  of  the 
grandfather,  then  filled  up  the  pit  he  had  dug,  and 
restored  the  cairn  to  its  former  condition.  After 
this  he  rode  home ;  and,  without  uttering  a  word, 
went  into  the  chamber  where  he  was  wont  to  sleep, 
bolted  the  door  behind  him,  and  lay  down  on  the 
bed. 

His  face  was  so  stern  and  grave,  as  he  entered  the 
house,  that  no  one  ventured  to  address  him. 

The  old  man  had  gone  out  in  the  morning,  dressed 
in  a  scarlet  fustian  tunic,  tight-fitting  about  the 
body,  and  fastened  with  wrought  silver  buckles  at 
the  sides;  he  had  also  worn  closely  fitting  hose. 
On  his  return,  the  farm  servants  noticed  that  the 
kirtle  was  torn  down  the  back,  and  the  hose  split, 
by  the  working  of  his  muscles  when  he  dug  into 
he  tomb. 

Hours  passed,  and  Egill  did  not  open  the  door :  he 
took  neither  meat  nor  drink,  and  so  he  lay,  both  day 
and  night.  Folk  walked  softly  through  the  house, 
and  the  wife  listened  anxiously  on  the  threshold; 
but  the  old  man  neither  fepoke  nor  moved.  So  passed 
a  second  day,  yet  no  one  dared  to  interfere  with  the 
master  in  his  grief. 

On  the  third  morning,  as  the  day  broke,  Asgerthr, 
the  good  wife  of  Egill,  ordered  one  of  the  freedmen 


i<  i 


II  ■}■-, 


m  ■■■ 


•  '■■'] 


126 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


to  mount  his  horse,  and  ride,  as  swiftly  as  possible, 
west  away  to  Hjartharholt,  and  tell  her  daughter 
Thorgerthr  what  had  taken  place,  and  ask  her  advice 
as  to  what  course  had  better  be  pursued. 

The  messenger  reached  Hjartharholt  by  noon,  and 
related  all  that  had  happened.  Thereupon  Thor- 
gerthr let  a  horse  be  saddled  for  her,  ordered  two 
servants  to  ride  with  her,  and  before  sundown  was 
at  the  house  of  her  parents. 

She  dismounted  at  the  door,  and  stepped  quietly 
into  the  kitchen,  where  she  found  her  mother.  They 
embraced  affectionately;  and  the  daughter,  as  she 
kissed  Asgerthr,  felt^  that  her  cheeks  were  wet  with 
tears. 

"  My  dear,"  said  the  housewife,  "  tell  me  whether 
you  have  eaten  your  supper ;  for,  if  not,  I  will  order 
food  to  be  brought  you  immediately." 

"Mother  mine  I  "  answered  Thorgerthr,  in  a  voice 
loud  enough  to  be  heard  throughout  the  house,  "  I 
have  tasted  nothing,  neither  do  I  intend  touching 
food  till  I  reach  the  halls  of  Freyja.  I  can  do 
nothing  better  than  follow  my  father's  example, 
and  accompany  him  and  my  brother  otx  the  long  last 
journey." 

Then  she  stepped  to  the  threshold,  and  called, 
"Father,  father  I  open  the  door.  I  wish  that  you 
and  I  should  travel  the  same  road  together." 

All  within  was  silent  for  a  space ;  but  presently  she 
heard  the  old  man's  step  coming  to  the  door,  the  bolt 
was  drawn  back,  and  Egill,  pale  and  haggard,  stood 
before  her.  She  passed  him  without  saying  a  word ; 
then  he  again  bolted  the  door,  and  returned  with  a 


BONARTORREK. 


12» 


moan  to  his  bed,  but  kept  his  eye  fixed  inquirinfjly 
on  his  daughter's  countenance. 

She  lay  down  in  another  bed  which  was  in  the 
room,  saying,  "  May  we  soon  sup  with  the  gods, 
father  I " 

Egill  answered,  "You  act  rightly,  daughter,  in 
choosing  t(J  follow  your  aged  father.  Great  love  do 
you  show  in  thus  joining  your  lot  with  mine.  Who 
could  think  that  I  should  care  to  live,  bowed  down 
beneath  the  burden  of  my  great  and  bitter  sorrow  ?  " 

Then  both  for  a  while  were  silent. 

There  was  a  small  circular  opening  in  the  wall 
opposite  the  old  man's  couch,  and  through  it  the 
evening  sun  sent  an  oraiige  spot  upon  the  floor. 

Not  a  sound  in  the  room  but  the  breathing  of 
father  and  daughter;  yet,  from  without,  sounds  of 
life  were  borne  in  upon  the  sununer  air.  The  river, 
at  no  great  distance,  rushed  monotonously,  yet  with 
a  pleasant  murmur,  over  its  pebbly  floor;  far  off,  up 
the  mountain  side,  a  flock  of  sheep  were  being  driven 
to  fold,  and  the  barking  of  the  dogs  was  distinctly 
audible  in  the  little  chamber;  presently  a  flock  of 
swans  passed,  with  their  strange  musical  scream; 
and,  now  and  then,  the  whinny  of  a  horse  reached 
the  ears  of  those  who  had  laid  themselves  down 
to  die. 

Suddenly  Egill  spoke :  "  Daughter,  I  hear  you 
munching  something." 

"  So  I  am,  father.  It  is  sol "  (Alga  saccharina), 
she  replied.  "  I  think  that  it  will  do  me  harm :  with- 
out something  of  the  kind,  I  might  live  too  long.' 
Does  it  really  shorten  life  ?  "  asked  Egill. 


»» 


!  '; 


I  I;? 


(( 


P  fT-T 


I!;  '  ■;! 


■  t  -  H 


{  ' 


128 


r/y^:  island  of  fire. 


"  Oh,  that  it  does  I     Will  you  have  some  ?  " 

"  I  see  no  re'^son  against  it,"  answered  he. 

Then  she  rose  from  the  bed,  stepped  over  to  him, 
and  gave  him  some  of  the  sea-weed. 

As  the  plant  is  saturated  wit  i  brine,  both  she  and 
her  father  soon  became  exceedingly  thirsty.  They 
lay  still,  however,  for  some  time,  without  either 
speaking.  The  sweet  air  of  summer  blew  in  at  the 
little  window,  fresh  as  from  the  gates  of  Paradise. 
Without,  the  churls  were  making  hay ;  and  occasion- 
ally a  few  grass-blades  were  borne  into  the  room  by 
the  draught.  One  of  the  thralls  whetted  his  sickle  ; 
a  girl  at  the  farther  extremity  of  the  tun  began 
a  song.  Within,  the  golden  spot  reached  Egill's 
bed-board,  and  began  to  slide  up  it.  A  mouse  stole 
from  behind  a  chest,  and  stood  on  the  floor,  looking 
round  with  bright,  beady  eyes,  then  darted  under 
one  of  the  beds. 

The  thirst  of  the  daughter  became  at  last  so  intol- 
erable, that  she  rose,  saying  that  she  must  taste  one 
drop  of  water.  Her  father  raised  no  objection :  so 
she  stepped  to  the  door,  opened  it,  and  called  foi 
water.  Her  mother  came  up,  and,  as  the  girl  bent  tc 
kiss  her,  she  whispered  a  word  into  Asgerthr's  ear. 
Directly  a  large,  silver-mounted  drinking-horn  was 
brought.  Thorgerthr  closed  the  door  again,  and 
bolted  it,  took  a  slender  draught,  and  offered  the 
horn  to  her  father. 

"  Certainly,"  said  he :  "  that  weed  has  parched  my 
throat  with  thirst."  So  he  lifted  the  horn  with  both 
hands,  and  took  a  long  pull. 

"  Father,"  said  Thorgerthr,  "  we  have  both  been 


SONG  OF  EGILL. 


129 


I 


deceived ;  we  have  been  drinking  milk,  not  water." 
As  she  spoke,  the  old  man  clinched  his  teeth  on  the 
horn,  and  tore  a  great  shred  from  it ;  then  flung  the 
vessel  wrathfuUy  to  the  ground. 

"What  is  to  be  done  now,  father?"  asked  the 
daughter.  "  This  our  scheme  has  broken  down  at  a 
very  early  stage,  and  we  can  no  longer  think  of  con- 
tinuing it.  I  have  a  better  plan  to  propose.  Let  us 
live  sufficiently  long  for  you  to  compose  c  beautiful 
elegy  on  your  son  Bothvar,  and  for  me  to  carve  it  in 
runes  on  oaken  staves  ;  after  which  we  can  die,  if  the 
fancy  takes  us.  I  do  not  think  my  brother  Thor- 
stein  quite  the  man  to  make  much  of  a  poem  on  our 
poor  Bothvar;  and  it  would  be  a  disgrace  to  the 
family  that  the  gallant  boy  should  remain  uncom- 
memorated  in  song.  As  soon  as  your  elegy  is  com- 
plete, we  will  hold  a  funeral  banquet,  at  which  you 
shall  recite  it.  Now,  what  think  you  of  my  plan, 
dear  father  ?  " 

Egill  replied  that  the  spirit  of  song  was  gone  from 
him,  but  that  he  would  try  his  best.  Then  he  sat  up 
in  his  bed,  and  chanted  the  following  lay ;  composing 
at  first  with  difficulty,  till  the  fire  of  poetry  kindled 
in  his  soul  as  brightly  as  it  had  burned  in  the  days 
of  youth ;  and  the  spot  of  flame  from  the  setting 
sun,  which  had  been  running  up  the  wall,  rested  on 
and  glorified  the  old  man's  inspired  countenance. 
His  voice,  faltering  at  first,  waxed  strong  and  clear, 
so  that  it  filled  the  house.  This  free  translation,  by 
Baring-Gould,  was  his  song :  — 


!i 


m 
Pi 


■* . 
m 


!     '  f 


I    rl 


Vi  i  1 


il 


180 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE, 

**  I  tune  my  tongue  but  feebly 
To  stir  the  air  with  song  ; 
From  heavy  heart  but  hardly 
I  drag  the  load  of  wrong. 

From  frozen  brain  but  thinly 
The  soft,  sweet  metres  thaw  | 

From  mines  of  grief  but  dully 
The  golden  dole  I  draw. 

My  race  to  death  is  drawing, 
As  drop  the  forest-leaves  ; 
As  in  the  southland  gamers 
Are  gathered  golden  sheaves. 

Sad  is  the  heart  that  singeth; 

My  sorrows  rise  and  swell; 
The  lips  but  feebly  mutter 

The  bitter  tale  they  tell. 

A  gap  in  heart's  affections  ; 

For  where''  my  bonny  boy? 
The  cruel  sea  hath  torn  in, 

And  swept  away  all  joy. 

Bau  bitterly  has  tried  me  : 
For  friend  on  friend  I  grieve  ; 

And  now  cold  ocean  shivers 
The  bright  chain  I  did  weave. 

The  bright  chain  of  my  weaving  ! 

Oh,  vengeance  I  would  'twere  mine  t 
But  how  can  these  old  sinews 

Besist  the  ruthless  brine  ? 

Of  much,  too  much,  despoilfed, 

An  old  man,  sitting  lone, 
With  trembling  fingers  counting 

The  gaps  in  dear  old  home. 


|ii:i 


BONG  OF  EQILL. 


181 


Bereaved  of  his  last  treasure, 

The  target  of  his  race, 
Borne  by  the  valkyrie 

Up  to  the  Blissful  Place. 

Oh  I  would  my  boy  had  oldened, 
To  wield  the  bright  blue  blade ; 

And  Odin's  hand  extended 
On  his  fair  head  been  laid  I 


^1 


To  father  he  —  e'er  faithful  — 
Held  when  all  else  were  cold  ; 

The  son's  warm  pulses  quivered 
Through  these  thews  waxing  old. 

Now  through  the  long  night- watches 

I  restlessly  am  tossed  : 
I  cannot  sleep  for  thinking 

Of  all  that  I  have  lost. 

Odin  I  why  hast  thou  riven 
The  green  bough  from  its  stem, 

And  ta'en  it  up  to  root  it 
It  homes  of  gods  and  men? 

Bpear-shaker  I  our  old  friendship 

I  rend  for  aye  away  ; 
I  trust  thee  now  no  longer. 

Fell  leader  of  the  fray  I 

Upon  the  grassy  headland, 
Where  father,  children,  sleep, 

Above  the  constant  throbbing 
Of  the  ne'er  qidet  deep,  — 

Stands  Death,  calmly  waiting  : 
What  I  can  I  dread  to  die  ? 

Nay  :  gladly,  oh  !  how  gladly. 
Towards  her  arms  I  fly  I '' 


r 


1 1    I'  f^ 


ill 


18S 


TUE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


I 

i 


Ml, 


Now,  it  fell  out,  that,  as  Egill  composed,  his  grief 
abated  ;  and,  when  the  Lament  was  complete,  he  rose 
from  his  bed,  and,  entering  the  hall,  seated  himself  on 
the  high  stool  of  honor.  There  all  the  house-folk 
gathered  around  him,  and  his  wife  and  daughter  sat 
at  his  feet.  When  a  silence  was  made,  he  lifted  his 
voice,  and  sang  the  poem  ;  and  this  Lament  he  named 
the  Sonartorrek.  Afterwards  Egill  waked  his  son 
in  the  ancient  manner  with  mucL  feasting ;  and 
Thorgerthr  returned  home  laden  with  rich  presents 
her  father  had  bestowed  upon  her. 

When  Egill  left  King  Athelstan,  he  was  presented 
with  two  chests  or.  silver,  which  the  patriarchal  free- 
booter hid ;  killing  the  slaves  who  had  helped  him 
bury  them,  practically  applying  the  proverb,  **  Dead 
men  tell  no  tales."  For  aught  anybody  knows,  the 
treasure  lies  to  this  day  beneath  some  of  the  bogs, 
near  which  Anglo-Saxon  coins  have  been  found. 


Nearly  north  of  M6sfell,  across  the  western  Syssels 
of  Iceland,  upon  the  arctic  boundary,  we  will  make 
the  next  journey  along  the  narrow,  winding  paths  to 
another  ancient  farm,  whose  romantic  interest  in  Saga 
story  has  no  rival  in  the  annals  of  the  island. 


'i   "F 


rr 


■I  m 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Grettir,  the  Hero  and  Outlaw  of  Iceland.  —  His  Birthplace. 

Se&  —  The  Red  Rovers. 


Outhc 


IT  is  summer-time ;  and  the  green  lawn  of  the  an- 
cient tun  of  Bijarg,  with  its  red-gabled  house 
of  wood  and  turf,  is  covered  with  buttercups.  Be- 
fore it  flows  a  rapid  stream ;  beyond  which,  on  the 
north,  rise  between  it  and  the  middle  frith  rugged 
heights  and  white-capped  jokuUs ;  southward,  savage 
deserts  and  summits  again  spread  away  to  the  hori- 
zon. Here,  at  the  close  of  the  tenth  century,  was 
born  Grettir,  the  famous  hero  and  outlaw  of  Iceland. 
Little  is  known  of  his  eventful  life  in  this  wild  home 
of  his  boyhood,  excepting  that  from  it  he  went  forth 
upon  his  tragical  exploits  and  lonely  wanderings. 
He  mounted  here  his  steed  for  yonder  gloomy  hills, 
to  hunt  and  slay  the  murderer  of  Atli,  his  brother. 
He  often  sought  the  shore  of  the  sounding  sea,  and 
gazed  wonderingly  upon  the  blue  expanse,  which  he 
knew  broke  upon  the  beach  of  far-off  fatherland.  The 
day-dream  of  that  unseen  realm  became  a  purpose 
to  look  upon  its  mountains  and  valleys.  Watching 
for  the  coveted  opportunity,  he  at  last  found  a  vfjssel 
bound  for  Norway.  Terms  were  soon  made  with  the 
master  of  the  galley ;  and  Grettir,  with  wildest  joy, 

12  188 


liiiL 


^n   i 


tfi|- 


lA-V'.-rr. 


184 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


i   :  i )  ^'i 


ii'-l  ■ 


saw  his  native  summits  sink  behind  the  "wide,  wide 
sea."  The  daring  adventures  o*  vhe  young  sea* 
rover  are  recorded  at  length  in  the  Sagas.  In  the 
sketches  of  his  career,  there  are  imaginary  scenes, 
growing  out  of  the  prevailing  superstitions,  or  r 
desire  to  conceal  by  fiction  unpleasant  facts  from  the 
public.  Among  these  myths,  are  manifestly  some 
of  the  unearthly  incidents  in  the  "  Vampyre*s 
Grave."  But  the  annals  of  his  lawless  life  are 
mainly  real  history. 

The  stirring  tales  that  follow  are  from  the  Gretla 
Saga. 

THE  RED  ROVERS. 
(A.D.  1012.) 

One  morning,  after  a  night  of  storm  on  the  coast  of 
Norway,  the  servants  lan  into  the  hall  of  a  wealthy 
bonder,  named  Thorfin,  to  inform  him,  that,  during 
the  night,  a  ship  had  been  wrecked  off  the  coasts  and 
that  the  crew  and  passengers  were  congregated  on  a 
neighboring  sandy  holm,  signalHng  for  help.  Up 
started  the  bonder,  and  hastened  to  the  strand :  he 
ran  out  a  large  punt  from  his  boat-house,  and,  jump- 
ing in  with  his  thralls,  rowed  lustily  to  the  rescue. 
The  shipwrecked  people  belonged  to  a  merchant- 
vessel  from  Iceland,  which  had  been  driven  among 
the  breakers  during  the  darkness,  and  had  gone  to 
pieces,  yet  not  before  a  portion  of  the  lading  had 
been  brought  ashore. 

Among  the  shivering  beings  gathered  on  the  sand 
strip  was  Grettir,  the  son  of  an  Icelandic  chief  who 
lived  at  Bjarg  in  the  middle  frith ;  he  was  then 


hill 


GRETTIR  SHIPWRECKED. 


135 


a  young  man,  tall  and  muscular,  with  large  blue 
eyes,  bushy  hair,  and  a  freckled  face. 

Thorfii  received  the  half-frozen  wretches  on  board 
his  boat,  and  rowed  them  to  the  mainland,  after 
which  he  returned  to  the  holm,  and  brought  off  the 
wares.  In  the  mean  time,  the  good  housewife  had 
been  lighting  fires,  preparing  beds,  routing  out  dry 
suits,  and  making  hot  ale,  ready  for  the  sufferers ; 
and  right  kindly  they  were  treated,  you  may  be  sure. 

Well,  the  chapmen  stayed  a  week  at  the  farm, 
whilst  their  goods  were  being  dried,  and  till  the 
women  of  the  party  were  sufficiently  recovered  from 
cold  and  exposure,  to  continue  their  journey  to  Dron- 
theim,  whither  the  whole  part  were  bound;  after 
which  they  left  Thorfin,  with  many  thanks  for  his 
courtesy  and  kindness.  Grettir,  however,  r*?mained, 
not  at  the  request  of  the  bonder,  who  did  not  much 
like  him,  but  to  suit  his  own  convenience.  Indeed, 
he  staid  somewhat  longer  than  Thorfin  cared  to 
keep  him,  considering  what  a  fellow  Grettir  was, 
never  joining  in  conversation,  unwilling  to  lend  a 
helping  hand  in  any  work,  a  great  stay-at-home, 
crouching  over  the  fire  all  day,  and,  withal,  eating 
voraciously.  Thorfin  was  much  out  of  doors;  and, 
as  he  was  a  sociable  man,  he  often  requested  Grettir 
to  accompany  him,  either  into  the  forest,  or  about 
his  farm,  but  could  get  no  further  answer  than  an 
impatient  shake  of  the  head,  and  a  grunt.  Now,  the 
bonder  was  a  fellow  with  a  right  merry  heart,  and  a 
kind  one,  and  one,  too,  that  loved  seeing  all  around 
cheerful.  With  such  a  disposition,  it  is  no  wonder 
that  the  morose  and  indolent  Grettir  found  no  favor. 


m 


I  •  "I 


136 


Z'nE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


ill 


II  :i 


li 


m\ 

M' 

B' 

i' ' 

1 

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-  -■  -..l.iii 

i' 

.    ,  ,    1.;' 

1     '.Li' 

1 

-    .    .     .       . 

,             ,;                                                J 

1 

:       ,:i 

:;  • 

1    ^ 

if-'          \    \ 

■        '■:                              11           \ 

Yule  drew  nigh,  and  Thorfin  busked  him  to  depart, 
with  a  number  of  his  freedmen,  to  keep  high  festival 
at  one  of  his  farms,  distant  a  good  day's  journey. 
His  wife  was  unable  to  accompany  him,  as  the  eldest 
daughter  was  ill,  and  wanted  careful  nursing ;  and 
Grettir  was  not  invited,  as  his  sullen ness  would  have 
acted  as  a  damper  to  the  joviality  of  the  banquet. 

The  farmer  started  for  his  farm  in  Slysfjord  some 
days  before  Yule,  accompanied  hy  his  thirty  freed- 
men, expecting  to  meet  a  goodly  throng  of  guests, 
whom  he  had  invited  from  all  quarters. 

Norway  had  for  some  time  been  in  a  disordered 
condition,  from  the  mischief  caused  by  numerous 
Berserkers  and  corsairs,  who  roved  over  the  country, 
challenging  bonders  to  mortal  combat  for  their 
homes,  their  wives,  and  families.  If  a  bonder  de- 
clined to  fight,  as  the  law  stood,  his  all  was  forfeited 
to  the  challenger ;  and  if  he  fought,  and  was  worsted, 
he  lost  his  life  as  well.  With  the  advice  of  Thorfin, 
Earl  Erik  Hakon's  son  put  down  these  holm-bouts, 
and  outlawed  those  whose  custom  it  had  been  to 
make  a  business  of  them,  going  round  the  country, 
and  riding  rough-shod  over  the  peaceful  bonders. 

Among  the  worst  of  these,  were  two  brothers, 
well  known  for  their  wickedness,  Thorir  wi'  the 
Paunch,  and  Bad  Ogmund.  They  were  said  to  be 
stronger  built  than  most,  and  to  care  for  no  man 
under  the  sun.  They  robbed  wherever  they  went, 
burned  farms  over  the  heads  of  the  sleeping  inmates, 
and  with  the  points  of  their  spears  drove  the  shrieking 
wretches  back  ui  i  the  flames.  When  these  pirated 
wrought  themselves  up  into  their  Berserker  rages, 


iiin 


Of 


a. 


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4; 

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ii 

Hi 

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H 

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'1 

u 

YULE  EVE  BY  THE  SEA. 


137 


they  howled  like  wolves,  foamed  at  the  mouth,  their 
strength  was  increased  to  that  of  Trolls,  and  they 
rushed  about,  demon-possessed,  murdering  and  de- 
stroying every  living  being  that  came  in  theii*  way. 
Thorfin  had  been  the  prime  instigator  of  their  out- 
lawry through  the  length  and  breadth  of  Norway ; 
and,  as  may  well  be  conjectured,  the  brothers  bore 
him  no  good-will,  and  only  waited  for  an  opportunity 
of  wreaking  their  vengeance  upon  him. 

The  eve  of  Yule  was  bright  and  sunny ;  and  the 
sick  girl  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  walk  out  and  take 
the  air,  leaning  on  her  mother's  arm. 

Grettir  spent  the  whole  day  out  of  doors,  in  none 
of  the  sweetest  of  tempers,  at  being  excluded  from 
the  festivities  of  the  season,  and  left  to  keep  house 
with  the  women  and  eight  dunderheaded  churls. 
He  fed  his  discontent  by  sitting  on  a  headland, 
watching  the  boats  glide  past,  as  parties  went  to 
convivial  gatherings  at  the  houses  of  their  friends. 
The  deep  blue  sea  was  speckled  with  white  sails,  as 
though  countless  gulls  were  playing  on  the  waters. 
Now  a  stately  dragon-ship  rolled  past,  her  fearfux 
carved  head  glittering  with  gold  and  color,  her 
sails  spread .  like  wings  before  the  breeze,  and  her 
banks  of  oars  flashing  in  the  sun,  then  dipping  into 
the  sea ;  now  a  wherry  rowed  by,  laden  with  cakes 
and  ale,  and  the  boatmen's  song  rang  merrily 
through  the  crisp  air. 

The  day  began  to  draw  in ;  but  still  the  red  sparks 
from  little  vessels,  fleeting  by  in  the  dusk,  showed 
that  all  the  guests  had  not  j'^et  reached  their  destina- 
tion. 


it-j 


!:ii 


138 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


Grettir  was  on  the  point  of  returning  to  the  farm, 
when  the  strange  proceedings  of  a  craft  at  no  great 
distance  attracted  his  attc^^tion.  He  noticed  that 
she  stole  along  in  the  shadows  of  the  islets,  and 
darted  with  "velocity  across  the  open- water  straits 
between  them ;  she  hugged  the  shore  wherever  she 
could,  moved  in  a  zigzag  course,  and  suddenly  came 
flying  with  quick  oar-sweeps  towards  the  bay  which 
Grettir  was  overlooking.  In  the  twilight  he  could 
make  out  thus  much  of  her,  that  she  floated  low  in 
the  water,  that  she  was  built  for  speed,  and  that  her 
sides  were  hung  with  shields  As  she  stranded,  the 
rowers  jumped  on  the  beach.  Grettir  comited  them, 
and  found  that  they  were  twelve,  armed  men  too  I 
They  broke  into  Thorfin's  boat-house,  and  dragged 
forth  his  great  punt,  in  which  thirty  men  were  wont 
to  sit,  pushed  it  out  into  deep  water,  and  drew  their 
own  boat  under  cover,  and  pulled  her  up  on  the 
rollers. 

Mischief  was  a-brewing,  that  was  plain  as  a  pike- 
staff I  So  Grettir  descended  the  hill,  and  sauntered 
up  to  the  band,  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  kick- 
ing the  pebbles  before  him,  and  humming  a  tune 
with  the  utmost  nonchalance.  **  Mav  I  ask  who  is 
the  leader  of  this  party  ?  "  quoth  he. 

"  Ah,  ah !  I'm  the  man,"  responded  as  ill-looking 
a  fellow  as  Nature  could  well  turn  out  of  her  labora- 
tory. "  Why,  I  am  Thorir  wi'  the  Paunch,  and 
here's  my  brother  Ogmund  with  all  his  rascals.  I 
reckon  the  Bonder  Thorfin  knows  our  names.  Don't 
you  think  so,  brother  ?  And  we  have  a  little  ac- 
count to  settle  with  him.    Pray,  is  he  at  home  ?  " 


GRETTIR  AND   THE  RED  ROVERS. 


13U 


"  Upon  my  word,  you  are  lucky  fellows,"  spoke 
Grettir  ;  *'  coming  here  in  the  very  nick  of  time,  if 
70U  are  the  men  I  take  you  for.  The  bonder  is 
from  home,  with  all  his  freedmen,  and  won't  be 
back  tiU  after  Yule ;  his  wife  and  daughter,  how- 
ever, are  at  the  farm.  Now's  your  time,  if  you  have 
old  scores  to  wipe  off ;  for  there  is  every  thing  you 
can  possibly  want  at  the  house,  —  silver,  good  clothes, 
ale,  and  provisions,  in  the  greatest  profusion." 

Thorir  held  his  tongue  whilst  Grettir  talked  : 
afterwards  he  turned  to  his  brother  Ogmund,  and 
said,  "  This  is  just  what  I  expected,  is  it  not  ?  Now 
we  can  serve  Thorfin  out  in  thorough  earnest  for 
having  made  us  outlaws.  What  a  cha'^terbox  this 
fellow  is  I  There's  no  need  of  pumping  to  get  any 
thing  one  wants  to  know  out  of  him." 

"  Every  man  is  master  of  his  own  tongue,"  re- 
torted Grettir.  "  Now  come  along  with  me,  and  I 
will  do  the  best  I  can  for  you." 

The  rovers  thanked  him,  and  accepted  the  invita- 
tion :  so  Grettir,  taking  Thorir  by  the  hand,  led 
him  towards  the  farm,  talking  the  whole  way  as 
hard  as  his  tongue  could  wag.  The  housewife  hap- 
pened at  the  moment  to  be  in  the  hall,  putting  up  the 
hangings,  and  preparing  for  the  Yule  banquet ;  and, 
hearing  Grettir  speaking  with  much  volubility,  she 
stood  stiU  in  astonishment,  and  asked  whom  he  was 
greeting  so  cordially. 

"It  is  quite  the  correct  thing  to  receive  guests 
well ;  is  it  not,  mother  ?  "  asked  Grettir ;  **  and  here 
are  Thorir  o'  the  Paunch,  Bad  Ogmund,  and  ten 
others,  who  have  kindly  come  to  join  us  in  our  Yula 


'!     T      I 


<\  If 


I  !' 


in 


ill 


rv 


■I ; 


f 


i.-^ 

i  - 1  -  ^    , 

-          ^     .    .it    I;    il 

i     '^  1 

^i 

4- 

^: 

. 

L 

L 

140 


rzris;  island  of  fire. 


carousal ;  which  is  delightful,  for  without  them  our 
party  would  have  been  wofully  scanty." 

"  O  Grettir  I  what  have  you  done  I  '*  cried  the 
poor  woman.  "  You  have  brought  hither  the  great- 
est ruffians  in  Norway.  I  would  have  given  any 
thing  that  they  had  never  come.  This  is  the  way 
in  which  you  return  the  good  Thorfin  has  done 
you,  in  rescuing  you  from  shipwreck,  in  taking  you 
into  his  house,  and  caring  for  you  through  the  winter, 
as  though  you  were  one  of  his  freedmen ;  and  when 
you  had  not  a  farthing  in  your  pocket  to  bless  your- 
self withal  I " 

"  Stop  this  abuse  I "  growled  the  young  man. 
"  There's  time  enough  for  that  sort  of  thing  another 
day.  Now  come,  and  take  off  tha  wet  clothes  from 
the  guests." 

"  You  need  not  scream  before  you  are  hurt,  my 
good  woman,"  quoth  Thorir :  "  you  will  want  all 
your  words  for  to-morrow,  when  I  shall  carry  you  and 
your  daughter  away  with  me,  and  you  will  have  to 
say  good-by  to  home  for  many  a  day.  What  think 
you  of  that?" 

"  Capital  I  "  roared  Grettir.     "  That  is  capital." 

On  hearing  this,  the  housewife  and  her  daughter 
fled  to  the  women's  apartment,  crying,  and  wringing 
their  hands  with  despair. 

"  Well,"  said  Grettir,  **  as  the  women  won't  attend 
on  you,  I  suppose  that  I  must ;  so  be  good  enough  to 
hand  me  over  any  thing  you  want  to  have  dried,  such 
as'your  wet  clothes  and  weapons." 

"  You're  different  from  every  one  else  in  the  house," 
spoke  Thorir.  "  I  almost  think  that  you  would 
make  a  boon  companion." 


THE  RED  ROVERS. 


141 


you  please,"   answered    the    young    man. 
I  tell  vou  I  don't  behave  like  this  to  all 


n" 


"  As 
"  Only, 
folk." 

Then  the  freebooters  gave  him  up  their  weapons  : 
he  wiped  the  salt  water  from  them,  and  laid  them 
aside  in  a  warm,  dry  spot.  Next  he  removed  their 
wet  garments,  and  brought  them  dry  suits,  which  he 
routed  out  of  the  clothes-chests  belonging  to  Thor- 
fin  and  his  freedmen. 

By  this  time  it  was  quite  night.  Grettir  brought 
in  logs,  raked  up  the  fire,  and  made  a  noble  blaze. 

**  Now,  my  men,"  quoth  he,  "  sit  at  table,  and 
drink ;  for,  i'  faith,  you  must  be  thirsty  after  all  the 
rowing  you  have  done  in  the  day." 

**  We  are  ready,"  said  they ;  "  only  we  don't  know 
where  to  find  the  cellars." 

"  Will  you  let  me  fetch  ale  for  you,  or  will  you 
help  yourselves  ?  " 

"  Oh,  go  after  it  yourself,  by  all  means  I "  answered 
they. 

So  Grettir  brought  the  strongest  ale,  and  poured 
out  for  them.  The  fellows  were  very  tired,  and 
drank  copiously.  Grettir  stinted  them  neither  in 
meat  nor  in  drink  ;  and  at  last  he  sat  down  at  the 
end  of  the  table,  and  recited  merry  Sagas,  which  riv- 
eted their  attention,  and  delighted  them  amazingly. 
First  he  told  the  history  of  Hromund  Greipsson,  how 
he  broke  open  the  tomb  of  old  Viking  Thrain,  and 
descended  into  it ;  how  he  wrestled  with  the  demon- 
possessed  corpse  in  its  vault,  and  bore  off  its  sword 
like  sunbeam ;  and  how,  in  after  years,  Hromund 
fought  on  the  ice,  and  received  fourteen  wounds,  lost 


M.! 


It 


II  ! 


II 1  i 

i    - 

'j  1 

! 

1-1 

- 

■    ■ 

:ir     1 

142 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


his  eight  brothei-s,  and,  worst  of  all,  saw  his  bright- 
flashing  sword  sink  through  an  ice-floe.  After  that, 
Grettir  told  the  tale  of  An  the  Bow-brandisher,  who 
would  not  turn  his  bow  to  enter  the  king's  hall,  but 
walked  forward  with  it,  though  the  horns  stuck  in 
the  door-posts ;  and  the  bow  bent  nearly  double,  but 
did  not  break. 

Not  one  of  the  house-churls  showed  bis  face  in  the 
hall  that  evening :  they  slunk  about  the  farm  fright- 
ned  and  trembling. 

,  Quoth  Thorir,  "I'll  tell  you  what,  comrades! 
This  lad  is  one  of  the  best  fellows  I've  clapped  eyes 
on.  I  don't  think  we  could  meet  in  a  hurry  with 
another  who  would  wait  on  us  so  well.  What  shall 
we  give  him  ?  Come,  man,  ask  a  boon  of  us  I " 
Grettir  answered,  "  I  demand  only  one  thing,  —  that, 
if  we  are  as  great  allies  in  the  morning  as  we  seem 
to  be  to-night,  I  may  become  one  of  your  gang :  even 
if  I  be  weaker  than  the  rest  of  you,  be  assured  I 
will  not  hang  back  in  the  day  of  trial." 

The  pirates  were  delighted  with  this  proposal,  and 
wanted  to  clinch  brotherhood  at  once;  but  Grettir 
objected.  "  No,  no  I "  said  he.  "  When  liquor  is  in, 
wits  leak  out :  you  may  come  to  a  different  mind  in 
the  morning  when  you  are  sober,  and  regret  what 
you  have  done.  There  is  no  need  of  hurry ;  and,  as 
we  are  none  of  us  famous  for  our  discretion,  a  little 
thinking  the  matter  over  first  is  advisable." 

They  all  protested  that  they  would  not  change 
their  opinion  of  him  in  the  morning.  Grettir,  how- 
ever, remained  firm  in  his  decision. 

The  young  man  saw  now  that  they  were  getting 


'I  M 


GRETTIR. 


143 


m 


rather  tipsy,  so  he  suggested  that  it  was  time  for 
bed.  "  Yet  first,"  said  he,  "you  will,  I  know,  like  to 
run  your  eyes  over  Thorfin's  storehouse." 

"  That  we  shall !  "  exclaimed  Thorir,  jumping  aip. 
"  Come  along,  my  lads,  follow  me  I  " 

Gref  dr  took  a  lamp,  and  led  the  way. 

The  storehouse  was  separate  from  the  house,  and 
stood  at  right  angles  to  it.  It  was  a  strongly  built 
place,  made  of  large  logs  mortised  firmly  together : 
the  door  was  also  remarkably  massive,  and  was  fur- 
nished with  a  strong  fastening.  Adjoining  this 
building  was  a  lean-to  office,  divided  ofT  from  the 
storehouse  by  a  partition  of  planks.  A  flight  of  steps 
led  to  the  office-door,  for  the  house  stood  on  a  breast- 
high  stone  foundation. 

The  sharp,  frosty  air  of  night,  striking  on  the  faces 
of  the  revellers,  increa  ed  their  intoxication ;  and 
they  became  very  disorderly,  running  against  v-ach 
other,  uttering  discordant  whoops,  and  jolting  Gret- 
tir's  arm,  so  that  he  could  with  difficulty  prevent  the 
lamp  from  being  knocked  from  his  hand  and  extin- 
guished. 

Drawing  back  the  bolt,  he  flung  the  door  open,  and 
showed  the  twelve  men  into  the  house.  Then,  sling- 
ing the  lamp  to  a  hook  in  one  of  the  rafters,  he  let 
the  rovers  scramble  for  the  prizes.  The  store  was 
filled  with  various  household  goods,  piles  of  costly 
garments,  enamelled  baldrics,  carved  and  silver- 
mounted  drinking-horns,  some  choice  bracelets,  and 
several  bags,  each  containing  a  hundred  ounces  of 
pure  silver.  The  drunken  men  were  soon  engaged 
in  ^dolent  altercation  over  the  spoil,  as  several  coveted 


144 


TBL  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


\  r 


:  I,   : 


the  same  articles.  In  the  midst  of  the  hubbub,  Gret- 
tir  stepped  outside,  closed  th*»  door,  and  bolted  it. 
The  freebooters  did  not  notice  his  escape,  as  he  had 
left  the  lamp  burning,  and  they  supposed  that  the 
door  had  swung  to  in  the  wind :  they  were,  more- 
over, too  intent  on  selecting  their  shares  of  the  booty 
to  think  of  any  thing  else. 

Grettir  flew  across  the  homestead  to  the  farm-door, 
and  cried  loudly  for  the  housewife ;  but  she  was 
s:lcit,  as  she  very  nattlrally  mistrusted  his  intentions, 
and  had  besides  secreted  herself,  from  fear  of  the 
pirates. 

"  Come,  answer  I  "  shouted  Grettir :  "  I  have  cap- 
tured the  whole  twelve,  and  all  that  is  wanting  is  a 
supply  of  weapons.  Call  up  the  thralls,  and  arm 
them ;  quick  I  there  is  not  a  moment  to  be  lost.'* 

"  There  are  weapons  enough  here,"  answered  the 
poor  woman,  emerging  from  her  hiding-place.  "  But, 
Grettir,  I  have  no  faith  in  you." 

'*  Faith  or  no  faith,"  exclaimed  Grettir,  "  I  must 
have  weapons  at  once.  Where  are  the  churls  ?  Here, 
KolbeinI  SveinI  Gamlil  Hrolf  I  Confound  the  ras- 
cals I  where  have  they  skulked  to  ?  " 

**  It  will  be  a  mercy  of  God  if  any  thing  can  be 
done  1  "  said  the  housewife ;  *'  for  wo  are  in  a  sorry 
plight,  to  be  sure.  Now,  look  here.  Over  Thorfin's 
bed  hangs  an  enormous  barbed  spear.  You  will  find 
there  also  helmet  and  cuirass,  also  a  beautiful  cutlass. 
No  lack  of  weapons,  if  you  have  only  the  pluck  to 
use  them." 

Grettir  seized  the  casque  and  spear,  girded  on  the 
sword,  and  dashed  into  the  yard,  begging  the  woman 


,i  I 


THE  STRUGGLE  FOR  LIFE. 


145 


to  send  the  churls  after  him.  She  called  the  eight 
men,  and  bade  them  arm  at  once,  and  follow.  Four 
of  them  obeyed,  rushing  to  the  weapons,  and 
scrambling  for  them,  but  the  other  four  ran  clean 
away. 

1  must  tell  you,  that  in  the  mean  time  the  Berser- 
kers had  rather  wondered  at  Grettir's  disappearance, 
and  from  wondering  had  fallen  to  suspecting  that  aU 
was  not  right.  Then  they  sprang  to  the  door,  tried 
it,  and  found  it  locked  from  without.  It  was  too 
massive  for  them  to  break  open :  so  they  tore  down 
the  partition  of  boards  between  the  store  and  the 
office.  The  Berserker  rage  came  on  thein-  and  they 
ground  their  teeth,  frothed  at  the  mouth,  and  burst 
forth  with  the  howl  of  demoniacs  through  the  office- 
door,  upon  the  landing  at  the  head  of  the  steps,  just 
as  Grettir  came  to  the  foot. 

Thorir  and  Ogmund  were  together.  In  the  fitful 
gleams  of  the  moon,  they  seemed  like  fiends,  as  they 
scrambled  forth  armed  with  splinters  of  deal,  their 
eyes  glaring  with  frenzy,  and  great  foam-flakes  be- 
spattering their  breasts,  and  dropping  on  the  stones 
at  their  feet.  The  brothers  plunged  down  the  nar- 
row stair  with  a  yell  which  rang  through  the  still, 
snow-clad  forest  for  miles.  Grettir  planted  the 
spear  in  the  ground,  and  caught  Thorir  on  its  point. 
The  sharp  double-edged  blade,  three  feet  in  length, 
sliced  into  .him,  and  came  out  beneath  his  shoulders, 
then  tore  into  Ogmund's  breast  a  span  deep.  The 
yew  shaft  bent  like  a  bow,  and  flipped  from  the 
ground  the  stone  against  which  the  butt  had  been 
planted.     The  wretched  men  crashed  to  the  bottom 

18 


'  '■  I 


f":  i 


i-. 


I'  11'  i  -       i' 


[  :i3 
I  III 


TFTE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


of  the  stair,  tried  to  rise,  staggered,  and  fell  again. 
Grettir  planted  his  feet  on  them,  and  wrenched  the 
blade  from  their  wounds,  drew  the  cutlass,  and 
smote  down  another  rover  as  he  broke  through  the 
door.  Other  Berserkers  poured  out ;  and  Grettir 
drove  at  them  with  spear,  or  hewed  at  them  with 
sword :  he  slew  another  as  the  churls  came  up. 
Tliey  were  late,  for  they  had  been  squabbling  over 
the  weapons ;  and  now  that  they  were  come  they 
were  nearly  useless,  as  they  only  made  onslaughts 
when  the  backs  of  the  robbers  were  towards  them, 
but,  the  moment  that  the  vikings  turned  on  them, 
they  bounded  away,  and  skulked  behind  the  walls. 

The  pirates  showed  desperate  fight,  armed  with 
chips  of  plank,  or  sticks  pulled  from  some  pine- 
fagots  which  lay  in  the  homestead.  They  warded  off 
Grettir's  blows,  and  fled  from  corner  to  corner,  pur- 
sued by  their  indefatigable  foe.  In  the  wildness  and 
agony  of  despair,  they  coul'^  not  find  the  gate,  but 
bounded  over  the  wall  of  the  yard,  and  ran  towards 
the  boat-house  with  Grettir  at  their  heels.  They 
plunged  in,  and  possessed  themselves  of  the  oars; 
Grettir  followed  into  the  gloom,  and  smote  right  and 
left.  The  bewildered  wretches  climbed  into  the 
boat :  some  strove  to  push  her  into  the  water,  whilst 
others  battled  in  the  darkness  with  their  unseen  ene- 
my ;  but  some  pulled  one  way,  some  another,  and 
the  blows  from  the  oars  fell  on  friend  as  well  as  foe, 
so  that  the  panic  became  more  complete. 

In  the  mean  time  the  thralls  had  quietly  returned 
to  the  farm,  quite  satisfied  when  they  saw  the  robbers 
take  to  their  heels ;  and  no  entreaties  of  the  house* 


QRETTIR. 


147 


wife  could  induce  them  to  follow  Grettir ;  the  four 
churls  had  had  quite  enough  of  fighting ;  true,  they 
had  killed  no  one,  but  then  they  had  seen  some  men 
killed.  Grettir  sj^rang  into  the  boat,  and  stepped 
from  bench  to  bench,  driving  aft  the  terrified  vikings. 
As  the  boat-house  was  open  to  the  air  on  the  side 
which  faced  the  sea,  whilst  the  farther  end  was 
closed  with  a  door,  Grettir  was  in  shadow,  whilst  the 
black  figures  of  the  rovers  cut  sharply  against  the 
moonlight,  so  that  he  could  see  where  to  strike, 
whilst  his  own  body  was  undistinguishable. 

One  stroke  from  an  oar  reached  him  on  the  shoul- 
der, and  for  the  moment  paralyzed  his  left  arm.  He 
killed  two  more  vikings,  and  then  the  remaining  four 
burst  forth,  and,  separating  into  pairs,  fled  in  differ- 
ent directions.  Grettir  followed  the  couple  which 
was  nearest,  and  tracked  them  to  a  neighboring  farm, 
where  they  dashed  into  a  granary,  and  hid  among  the 
straw.  Unfortunately  for  them,  most  of  the  wheat 
had  been  threshed  out,  so  that  only  a  few  bundles  re- 
mained. Grettir  shut  and  bolted  the  door  behind 
him,  then  chased  the  poor  wretches  like  rats  from 
corner  to  corner,  till  he  had  cut  them  both  down. 
Then  he  pulled  the  corpses  to  the  door,  and  cast  them 
outside. 

In  the  mean  while  the  sky  had  become  overcast 
with  a  thick  snow-fog  which  rolled  up  fi*om  the  sea ; 
BO  that  Grettir,  on  coming  out,  saw  that  it  would  be 
hopeless  attempting  to  pursue  the  two  remaining 
Berserkers.  Besides,  his  arm  pained  him,  his  strength 
was  failing  him,  and  there  stole  over  him  an  over- 
powering sense  of   weariness  after  his   protracted 


F    Mi 


I 


;?;: 


tu     I 


Jl--i 


I  li 


fmm 


i  li 


148 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


exertions.  The  housewife  had  placed  a  lamp  in  the 
window  of  a  loft ;  so  that  Grettir,  seeing  f\e  light, 
was  able  to  find  his  way  back  through  the  snow- 
storm without  difficulty.  When  he  came  to  the  door, 
she  met  him,  and,  extending  both  her  hands,  gave 
him  a  cordial  welcome.  "  You  have  indeed  shown 
great  valor  I  "  quoth  she  :  "  you  have  sa^^ed  me  and 
my  household  from  insult  and  ruin.  To  you,  and 
you  alone,  are  we  indebted." 

"  I  am  not  much  altered  from  what  I  was  last 
evening :  yet  you  now  sing  qmte  a  different  strain ; 
then  you  abused  me  most  grossly,"  grumbled  the 
young  man. 

"  Ah !  but  we  little  knew  your  metal  then.  Come, 
be  a  welcome  guest  within,  and  tarry  till  my  hus- 
band returns.  Thanks  are  all  that  I  can  render  you  ; 
but  be  assured  Thorlin  will  not  rest  content  till  he 
has  rewarded  this  deed  of  yours  munificently." 

Grettir  replied  that  he  cared  Httle  for  a  reward, 
but  that  he  gladly  avaiJed  himself  of  her  invitation. 
"  And  now  I  hope  you  may  sleep  without  much  fear 
of  Berserkers."  Grettir  drank  little,  but  lay  down 
fully  armed  for  a  sound  and  well-earned  sleep. 

On  the  following  morning,  as  soon  as  day  broke,  a 
party  was  formed  to  search  for  the  two  remaining 
vikings  who  had  escaped  from  Grettir  in  the  dark- 
ness. The  snow  had  fallen  so  thickly  during  the 
night  that  the  ground  was  covered,  and  all  traces 
were  obliterated,  so  that  the  search  proved  ineffec- 
tual till  dusk,  when  the  men  were  discovered  under 
a  rock,  dead  from  cold  and  loss  of  blood.  The  bod- 
ies were  removed  to  the  shore,  and  buried  under  a 


THE  BONDER'S  RETURN. 


149 


cairn  between  tides.*    Then  all  returned  to  the  farm 
in  high  glee;    and   Grettir  chanted  the  following 


verse :  — 


*•  Twelve  war-flame  branches  are  buried 
Low  by  the  loud  resounding; 
Unasked,  sent  I  them  singly 
To  speedy  death.    O  ye  gold-sallous, 
Well-born  1  bear  me  all  witness  ! 
What  is  wrought  mightier  ?  tell  me, 
If  ye  wot,  —  this  being  little." 


:-* 


"  There  are  not  many  men  like  you,  certainly,*' 
answered  the  lady ;  '*  at  all  events,  in  this  genera- 
tion." 

Then  she  seated  him  on  the  high  stool  of  honor, 
and  treated  him  with  every  distinction. 

So  passed  the  time  until  the  return  of  the  bonder. 

It  was  not  till  the  Yule  festivities  were  well  over, 
that  Thorfin  busked  him  for  return  ;  then,  after  hav- 
ing dismissed  his  guests  with  presents,  he  and  his 
freedmen  started  for  home,  before  news  had  reached 
him  of  what  had  taken  place  during  his  absence. 
The  first  startling  circumstance  was  the  appearance 
of  his  great  punt,  stranded.  Thorfin  bade  his  men 
row  to  land  with  aU  speed,  as  he  suspected  that  this 
could  not  be  the  result  of  accident.  The  bonder 
was  the  first,  in  his  anxiety,  to  leap  ashore,  and  run 
to  the  boat-house.  There  he  saw  a  ship  hauled  up 
on  the  rollers ;  and,  at  the  second  glance,  he  knew  it 
to  be  that    of   the    vikings.    His    cry  of   dismay 

*  Burial  between  tides  was  looked  upon  as  disgrace,  being  ^  cou* 
trast  witL  that  on  consecrated  ground. 


'« 


''   1 

'\          111 

i 

■  i 

1 

s  .  ■  ■■■ 

;!  ' 

li- 

i     ■  -ff 

i  j 

i'l 


tl 


150 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


brought  the  rest  around  him :  he  pointed  to  the  ves- 
sel, and  said,  "  The  Red-rovers  have  made  an  attack 
on  my  farm.  I  would  give  house  and  lands  that 
they  had  never  come." 

"  What  cause  is  there  for  fearing  that  a  hostile 
visit  has  been  paid  ?  "  asked  some  of  his  men. 

"  I  know  whose  boat  this  is,"  answered  the  farmer. 
"  It  belongs  to  Thorir  o'  the  Paunch,  and  Bad  Og- 
mund,  the  two  wickedest  and  most  brutal  of  all  the 
Norwegian  pirates.  No  effectual  resistance  can  have 
been  offered,  I  fear,  as  the  farm  was  deserted  by  all 
fighting  men,  except,  perhaps,  that  Icelander ;  but  I 
put  no  trust  in  him  whatsoever." 

The  freedmen  now  consulted  with  the  farmer  as  to 
what  steps  should  be  taken,  supposing  that  the  house 
was  occupied  by  pirates. 

All  this  while  Grettir  was  at  home,  and  he  was  to 
blame  for  leaving  Thorfin  in  uncertainty  and  alarm. 
He  had  seen  the  master's  boat  round  the  headland, 
and  enter  the  bay ; '  but  he  would  neither  go  himself 
to  meet  him  on  the  strand,  nor  suffer  the  thralls  to 
do  so. 

'*  I  do  not  care  even  though  the  bonder  be  a  little 
distracted  at  what  he  sees,"  said  the  young  man. 

"  Have  you  any  objection  to  my  going  to  the 
shore  ?  "  asked  the  wife. 

"  None  in  the  least :  you  are  mistress  of  your  own 
actions." 

Then  she,  with  her  daughter,  ran  to  meet  her 
husband,  and  greeted  him  with  a  bright  smile  on  her 
face.  He  was  delighted  at  seeing  her,  and  said,  kiss- 
ing her  forehead,  "  God  be  praised,  sweetheart,  that 


GRETTIR. 


151 


you  and  my  child  are  safe  and  sound !  But  tell  me 
how  matters  have  stood  during  my  absence  ;  for,  from 
the  look  of  affairs,  I  do  not  think  that  you  can  have 
been  left  quite  undisturbed." 

"  No  more  have  we,"  she  replied.  "  We  have 
been  in  grievous  danger  of  loss  and  dishonor;  but 
the  shipwrecked  man,  whom  you  have  sheltered,  has 
been  our  helper  and  guardian." 

Thorfin  said,  "  Sit  by  me  on  this  rock,  and  tell  me 
of  what  has  taken  place." 

Then  they  took  each  other's  hands,  and  sat  to- 
gether on  a  stone ;  the  freedmen  gathered  around  ; 
and  she  told  plainly  and  truthfully  the  story  of 
the  rovers,  and  Grettir's  gallant  conduct.  When 
she  spoke  of  the  m^-nner  in  which  the  young  Ice- 
lander had  decoyed  them  into  the  storehouse,  and 
fastened  them  in,  all  the  freedmen  raised  a  shout  of 
joy ;  and,  when  her  tale  was  ended,  their  exultant 
cries  rang  so  loud  that  Grettir  heard  them  in  the 
farmhouse. 

Thorfin  spoke  no  word  to  interrupt  the  thread  of 
his  wife's  recital,  but  the  workings  of  his  heart  were 
clearly  legible  on  his  j;ountenance.  After  she  had 
ceased,  he  sat  still,  wrapped  in  thought;  no  one 
ventured  to  (  sturb  him.  Presently  he  looked  up,  and 
said,  "  The  o  1  saying  proves  to  be  true,  *  Despair 
of  no  man.'     AVhere  is  Grettir  ?  " 

"  At  home,"  answered  the  wife.  "  He  is  a  strange 
man,  and  would  not  come  to  meet  you." 

"  Then  let  me  go  to  him,"  said  the  farmer,  rising, 
and  walking  towards  the  house,  followed  by  his 
men. 


,Mi:i 


If, 


I 


.'I 

4-'  If 

w 


Li 


Is'  •  i 


.,: 


ill!!! 


152 


TEE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


When  he  saw  Grettir,  he  sprang  to  him,  and 
thanked  him  in  the  fairest  words  for  the  heroism  he 
had  displayed. 

"  This  I  say  to  you,"  spoke  Thorfin,  '*  which  few 
would  say  to  their  dearest  friends,  that  I  hope  one 
day  you  may  need  support,  so  as  to  prove  how 
earnestly  and  joyfully  I  will  strain  every  nerve  to 
assist  you ;  for,  assuredly,  I  never  can  repay  you  for 
what  you  have  done  in  my  behalf,  till  you  are 
brought  into  great  straits  yourself.  Abide  with  me 
as  long  as  you  list,  and  you  shall  be  held  in  highest 
esteem  by  me  an-l  my  followers." 

Grettir  thanked  him  heartily,  and  spent  the  rest 
of  the  winter  at  his  house.  The  story  of  his  exploit 
was  noised  throughout  Norway ;  and  it  was  especially 
praised  on  the  rpots  where  the  Berserkers  had  given 
any  trouble. 


jiiiiii'  n 


CHAPTER  XVin. 


S'.i  *■ 


Bona  of  an  Icelandic  Chief  in  Norway.  —  Grettir  strandev]  near  their 
Wiater  Home.  —  He  swims  the  Fiord. —  Burning  of  the  Hostel,  — 
Grettir  arrested.  —  The  Trial  by  Burning  Ploughshares.  —  Betums 
to  Iceland.  —  His  Mother. 

IN  the  year  A.  D.  1016,  a  man  named  Thorir  lived 
at  Garth,  in  Athaldal.  He  was  a  mighty  Ice- 
landic chief,  with  numerous  retainers,  and  extended 
influence.  He  had  two  sons,  fine,  promising  fellows, 
both  of  them,  and,  at  the  time  of  my  story,  pretty 
nearly  full-grown  men.  Thorir  had  spent  the  sum- 
mer in  Norway,  when  King  Olaf  returned  from  Eng- 
land, and  had  got  into  favor  with  the  king,  and  also 
with  Bishop  Seginth ;  as  may  be  judged  by  the  fact 
that  Thorir,  after  having  built  a  ship,  asked  him  to 
consecrate  it,  which  was  a  great  condescension  on 
the  part  of  Thorir. 

Thorir  left  Norway  for  Iceland:  he  reached  it 
safely,  and  then  chopped  up  his  boat,  as  he  was  tired 
of  the  sea.  The  two  beaks  of  the  prow  he  set  up 
over  his  hall  doors ;  and  they  were  sure  indications 
of  the  direction  of  the  wind,  for  the  north  wind 
piped  in  one,  and  in  the  other  wailed  the  south  wind. 

As  soon  as  the  news  reached  Iceland  that  King 
Olaf  was  supreme  over  the  whole  of  Norway,  Thorir 
considered  that  there  might  be  a  good  opening  at 

168 


'*' .  m 


'•';:[; 


If . 


li      ..::! 


i!il 


154 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


court  for  his  two  sons;  so  he  packed  them  both  oflp, 
hite  in  the  autumn,  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  king, 
and  remind  him  of  his  old  friendship  for  their  father. 

They  landed  in  the  south  of  Norway ;  and  then, 
getting  a  long  rowing-boat,  they  skirted  the  coast  on 
their  way  north  to  Drontheim.  Reaching  a  fine 
frith,  in  which  there  was  shelter  from  the  gales  which 
began  to  bluster  violently  as  the  winter  drew  nigh, 
the  sons  of  Thorir  ran  their  boat  in,  and  determined 
on  waiting,  till  the  storms  blew  over,  in  a  comfortable 
hostel,  built  some  way  up  the  shore,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  travellers.  Their  days  they  spent  in 
hunting  bears  among  the  mountains,  and  their  nights 
in  merry  carousal. 

It  happened  that  Grettir  was  on  board  a  merchant- 
man,  then  off  the  shores  of  Norway,  beating  about 
in  the  gale,  seeking  safe  harborage. 

Late  one  evening  the  vessel  ran  up  this  same 
fjord,  and  stranded  on  the  side  opposite  that  on  which 
was  the  hostel.  The  night  was  cold  and  wintry; 
heavy  storms  of  snow  rolled  over  the  country, 
whitening  the  mountains,  and  forming  drifts  behind 
the  rocks.  The  men  from  the  ship  were  worn  out 
and  numbed  with  cold,  and  they  k^  ew  not  on  what 
part  of  the  coast  they  had  stranded. 

When  they  reached  land,  they  hurried  from  the 
shore  to  seek  a  sheltered  nook  where  they  might  pass 
the  night. 

It  was  a  wild  night.  The  moon  had  been  clouded 
over  by  piles  of  gray  mist,  which  rolled  through  the 
sky,  sending  out  arms  of  vapor ;  haggard  and  ghastly^ 
she  seemed  to  steal  over  her  course  swathed  in  grave*} 


AN  ICELANDIC  CHIEF. 


155 


clothes.  Now  and  then  some  crags  caught  a  strag- 
gling gleam,  and  flashed  forth,  but  directly  after  were 
again  blotted  out ;  then  the  fjord  caught  the  light, 
and  shone  like  steel  till  the  shadows  turned  it  to 
lead.  An  uncertain  light  flickered  down  the  moun- 
tain side  over  the  pine-forests,  which  waved  and  bent 
as  the  wind  poured  through  them. 

Suddenly  a  spark,  then  a  flame,  was  distinguish- 
able, twinkling  among  the  trees  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  fjord.  This  was  a  tantalizing  sight  for  the 
poor  shivering  fellows ;  and  they  began  to  wish  that 
some  one  of  their  number  would  swim  across,  and 
bring  over  a  light.  No  one,  however,  offered ;  and  the 
crew  hesitated  about  pushing  the  ship  off  and 
rowing  across,  lest  they  should  fall  among  rocks,  and 
injure  the  vessel. 

"  In  the  good  old  times  there  must  have  been  some 
men  who  would  have  thought  nothing  of  swimming 
across  the  frith  by  night,"  said  Grettir. 

"  Maybe,"  answered  some  of  the  party;  "but  it  is 
of  no  odds  to  us  what  men  have  been,  if  there  are 
none  now  up  to  the  mark.  Why  do  you  not  venture 
yourself,  Grettir  ?  You  are  as  strong  and  plucky  as 
any  of  the  old  heroes.  You  see  what  straits  we  are 
put  to  for  want  of  a  Uttle  fire." 

"  There  is  no  great  difficulty  in  procuring  a  light," 
answered  the  young  Icelander  :  *'  but  T  know  that 
I  shall  get  no  thanks  for  my  pains." 

*'  Then  you  must  have  an  uncommonly  poor  opinion 
'  of  us,"  said  the  chapmen. 

"  Well,"  quoth  Grettu-,  "  I  will  risk  it :  at  the 
same  time  I  tell  you,  I  have  a  presentiment  that  you 
will  bear  me  no  good-will  for  what  I  do." 


ill 

11-'  "^  -  " 


i        -JKfi. 

I    lii 

I     ill 


I«!j; 


ml 


m 


,    '<    i\U} 


'.  :l 


156 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


They  pooh-poohed  his  objections,  and  assured  him 
tjiat  he  was  the  best  fellow  going. 

Then  Grettir  flung  his  clothes  off,  and  busked  him 
for  swimming.  He  had  on  him  a  fur  cape,  and  a  pair 
of  wadmal  breeches.  These  he  hitched  up,  and 
strapped  tightly  round  his  waist  with  a  bark  cord; 
then,  catching  up  an  iron  pot,  he  jumped  into  the  sea, 
and  swam  across. 

On  reaching  the  farther  side,  he  stood  up  on  the 
beach,  and  shook  the  superfluous  water  from  him ; 
but  before  long  his  trousers  froze  hard,  and  the  water 
formed  in  icicles  round  the  hood  of  his  cape. 

Grettir  ascended  through  the  pine  wood  towards 
the  light ;  and,  on  reaching  the  hostel  from  whence 
it  proceeded,  he  walked  straight  in  without  speak- 
ing to  any  one ;  and,  striding  up  to  the  fire,  he 
stooped,  and  began  to  rake  the  embers  into  his 
iron  pot,  and  to  select  a  blazing  brand  which  he 
could  carry  across  in  his  mouth. 

The  hall  was  full  of  revellers,  and  these  revellers 
were  the  sons  of  Thorir,  and  their  boat's  crew. 
They  were  already  hall  intoxicated ;  and  on  seeing 
a  tall,  wild-looking  man  enter  the  hall,  half  dressed 
in  fur,  and  bristling  with  icicles,  they  concluded  at 
once  that  they  saw  a  troll,  or  mountain  demon. 

Whereupon,  every  man  caught  up  the  first  weapon 
he  could  lay  hold  of,  and  rushed  to  the  attack. 
Grettir  defended  himself  as  best  he  could,  warding 
off  the  blows  with  the  flaming  log,  and  eluding  the 
missiles  flung  at  him.  In  the  scuffle,  the  hot  embers 
on  the  hearth  were  scattered  over  the  floor,  which 
was  strewn  with  fresh  straw  and  rushes. 


A  MISFORTUNE. 


157 


In  a  few  moments,  the  hall  was  filled  with  flame 
and  smoke  ;  and  Grettir  broke  through  it,  escaped 
to  the  shore,  plunged  into  the  waves,  and  reached 
the  other  side  in  safety. 

He  found  his  companions  waiting  for  him  behind 
a  rock,  with  a  pile  of  dry  wood  which  they  had  »'-ol- 
lected  during  his  absence.  The  cinders  were  blown 
upon,  and  twigs  applied,  till  a  blaze  was  produced ; 
and  before  long  the  whole  party  sat  rubbing  their 
almost  frozen  hands  over  a  cheerful  fire. 

On  the  following  morning  the  merchants  recog- 
nized the  fjord  ;  and,  remembering  that  on  its  bank 
stood  the  house  of  refuge  which  King  Olaf  had 
built  for  weather-bound  travellers,  they  supposed 
that  the  light  Grettir  had  procured  must  have  come 
from  it;  so  they  determined  on  running  the  boat 
across,  and  seeing  who  were  then  quartered  in  the 
hostel. 

When  they  reached  the  spot,  they  found  nothing 
but  an  immense  heap  of  smoking  ashes.  From  under 
some  of  the  charred  timber,  projected  scorched  human 
limbs.  The  chapmen,  in  alarm  and  horror,  turned 
upon  Grettir,  and  charged  him  with  having  mali- 
ciously burned  the  house  with  all  its  inmates. 

"  There,  now  I "  exclaimed  Grettir  :  "  I  had  a  pre- 
sentiment that  misfortune  would  attend  my  under- 
taking last  night.  I  wish  that  I  had  not  taken  so 
much  trouble  for  a  set  of  thankless  churls  like  you." 

The  ship's  crew  raked  the  embers  out,  and  pulled 
aside  the  smoking  beams  in  their  search  for  the 
bodies,  that  they  might  give  them  decent  burial. 
In  so  doing,  they  came  upon  some  whose  features 

14 


'f! 
^♦.  if 


'.!; 


158 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


( I 


!i 


were  not  completely  obliterated,  and  among  these 
was  one  of  the  sons  of  Thorir.  It  was  at  once  con- 
cluded that  the  party  brought  by  Grettir  to  such  an 
untimely  end  was  that  of  Thorir's  sons,  which  had 
sailed  shortly  before  the  chapmen.  The  indignation 
of  the  merchants  became  so  vehement,  that  they 
drove  Grettir  with  imprecations  from  their  company, 
and  refused  to  receive  him  into  their  vessel  for  the 
remainder  of  the  voyage. 

Grettir,  in  sullen  wrath,  would  say  no  word  in 
self-defence ;  but,  turning  on  his  heel,  he  stalked 
proudly  into  the  woods  with  his  sword  by  his  side, 
and  his  battle-axe  over  his  shoulder,  determined  on 
exculpating  himself  before  Jng  Olaf,  and  him 
alone.  The  vessel  reached  Drontheim  before  him, 
and  the  news  of  the  hostel-burning  caused  universal 
indignation. 

One  day,  as  the  king  sat  at  audience  in  his  hall, 
Grettir  strode  in,  and,  going  before  Olaf,  greeted 
him.     The  king  eyed  him  all  over,  and  said,  — 

"*Are  you  Grettir  the  strong  ?  " 

He  answered,  "  Such  is  my  name ;  and  I  have  come 
hither,  sire,  to  get  a  fair  hearing,  and  rid  myself  of 
the  charge  of  having  burned  men  maliciously.  Of 
that  I  am  guiltless." 

Olaf  replied,  "  I  sincerely  hope  that  what  you  say 
13  true,  and  that  you  will  have  the  good  fortune  to 
clear  yourself  of  the  imputation  laid  against  you." 

Grettir  said  that  he  was  willing  to  do  any  thing 
the  king  wished,  in  order  to  prove  his  innocence. 

"  Tell  me  first,"  quoth  the  king,  "  what  is  the  true 
version  of  the  story,  that  I  may  know  what  steps 
are  to  be  taken." 


i '  1 


TRTAL   BY  BURNING  PLOUGnsnARES. 


159 


Grettir  answered  by  relating  all  the  circnmstan(;es 
and  he  asserted  tliat  the  men  were  alive  wlien  h« 
left  the  hostel,  carrying  the  fire. 

The  king  remained  silent  for  some  moments. 

*'  If  I  might  fight  some  one,"  suggested  Grettir, 
**  I  should  rather  like  it." 

**  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  would,"  replied  Olaf. 
*'  But  remember  you  have  not  a  single  accuser,  but  a 
whole  ship's  crew,  and  you  cannot  fight  them  all." 

"  Why  not  ?  "  asked  the  Icelander ;  '*  the  more, 
the  merrier.     Let  them  come." 

"  No,  no,  Grettir,"  answered  the  king.  "  I  can- 
not allow  such  a  proceeding  to  take  place.  But  I 
will  tell  you  what  you  shall  do :  go  through  the 
fire  ordeal." 

*'  What  is  that  ?  "  asked  the  young  man. 

"  You  must  lift  bars  of  iron,  heated  till  the  fur- 
nace can  make  them  no  hotter,  and  walk  with  bare 
feet  on  red-hot  ploughshares." 

"  I'll  do  it  at  once,"  said  Grettir.  "  Where  are 
the  ploughshares?  " 

"  Stop  !  "  said  the  king.  "  You  would  be  burned  to 
a  certainty  if  you  ventured  without  preparation."    ^ 

"  What  preparation  ?  "  asked  Grettir.  ■ " 

"A  week  of  prayer  and  fasting,"  was  the 
reply.  .  ^v^■. .,;:..-•;...--...  .v.;--";: 

"  I  do  not  like  fasting,"  said  the  young  man.    - 
'*  But  you  cannot  help  yourself,"  answered  Olaf. 
"  I  cannot  pray,"  said  Grettir :  "  I  never  could." 
"  Then  the  bishop  shall  teach  you,"  answered  the 
king,  with  a  smile  at  the  bluntness  of  the  Ice- 
lander. 


l¥ 


m 
If 

m 


il.i3,l 


■\.  ii'i 

'  PI 
PI 

I     ! 


0 


i. 


I 


I'  {''I 


irl 


J 


160 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


W-     ! 


\     m 


Grottir  was  removed,  and  kept  in  custody  by  t^ie 
clergy,  who  did  their  best  to  prepare  him  for  the  sol- 
emn moment  of  the  ordeal ;  but  they  found  him  a 
troublesome  fellow  to  manage. 

The  day  came ;  and  Drontheim  was  thronged  with 
people,  who  streamed  in  from  all  the  country  round, 
to  see  the  Icelander  of  whom  such  stories  were 
told.  A  procession  was  formed ;  the  king's  body- 
guard marched  at  the  head,  followed  by  the  king 
himself,  the  bishop,  the  choir,  and  the  clergy, 
amongst  whom  walked  Grettir,  a  head  taller  than 
any  of  the  throng,  upright,  his  wild,  brown  liair  fly- 
ing loose  in  the  breeze,  his  arms  folded,  and  his  hon- 
est blue  eyes  wandering  over  the  sea  of  heads  which 
filled  the  square  before  the  cathedral  doors.  The 
crowd  pressed  in  closer  and  closer,  but  without  in 
the  slightest  degree  disconcerting  him.  Opinions 
seemed  to  be  divided  as  to  whether  he  were  guilty 
or  not.  His  dauntless  bearing,  and  open,  sunny 
countenance,  were  not  those  of  a  truculent  Berserker. 
Among  the  mob  was  a  young  man  of  dark  complex- 
ion, who  made  a  great  noise,  wrangling,  and  shoulder- 
ing his  way,  till  he  reached  the  procession. 

"  Look  at  him  I  "  exclaimed  he.  "  This  is  the  man 
who,  in  cold  blood,  could  burn  a  house  down  over 
helpless  victims,  and  exult  at  their  shrieks  of  de- 
spair ;  yet  now  he  is  about  to  be  given  a  chance  of 
escape,  when  every  one  knows  that  he  is  a  deep-dyed 
villain ! " 

"  But  he  says  that  he  is  guiltless,"  quoth  a  man  in 
the  crowd. 

Innocent !  "  exclaimed  the  youth.    "  A  plea  of 


(( 


TRIAL   Br  BURN/NO  rLOrTGnSHARES. 


161 


innocence  has  been  set  up  as  an  excuse  because  the 
king  wishes  to  have  him  in  his  body-guard." 

"  He  should  have  a  chance  of  clearing  his  charac- 
ter," spoke  a  person  standing  near. 

*'Ay  I  but  who  knows  how  the  irons  may  be  tam- 
pered with  by  the  king  and  clergy,  so  that  this  ruthless 
murderer  may  escape  the  punishment  he  deserves  ?  " 

"  Young  man  I  "  spoke  Grettir,  with  a  voice  like 
thunder,  whilst  flame  leaped  up  in  his  eyes,  and  his 
strong  limbb  quivered  with  rage.  **  Young  man,  be- 
ware I " 

"Beware  of  what,  pray?"  laughed  the  youth. 
"  Though  you  may  escape  the  punishment  you  so 
richly  deserved,  yet  you  shall  not  escape  me." 

And,  springing  up,  he  thrust  his  nails  into  Gret- 
tir's  face,  so  that  he  brought  blood  ;  calling  him,  at 
the  same  time,  son  of  a  sea-devil,  troll,  and  other  in- 
sulting names.  This  was  more  than  the  Icelander 
could  bear :  he  caught  the  young  man  up,  shook  him 
as  a  cat  shakes  a  mouse,  and  flung  him  to  the  ground 
with  such  violence  that  he  lay  senseless,  and  was 
carried  away  as  if  dead. 

This  act  gave  rise  to  a  general  uproar :  the  mob 
wanted  to  lay  hands  on  Grettir  ;  some  threw  stones, 
others  assaulted  with  sticks ;  but  he,  planting  his 
back  against  the  church  wall,  rolled  up  his  sleeves, 
and  guarded  off  the  blows,  shouting  joyously  to  his 
assailants  to  come  on. 

A  shout  of  honest  joy  at  the  prospect  of  a  fight 
mantled  in  his  cheeks,  and  his  eyes  sparkled  with  de- 
light. Not  a  man  came  within  his  reach  but  was 
sent  reeling  back,  or  felled  to  the  ground. 

14* 


1 


162 


THE  ISLAND   OF  Flh.£., 


:.   lis 


>;•   i  II!  i 


III 


Grettir  caught  a  stick  aimed  at  him,  while  it  was 
in  the  air,  and  dealt  »uch  blows  with  it,  that  he 
cleared  a  ring  about  him ;  whilst  still,  with  a  voice 
clear  as  a  bell,  he  called  to  the  mob  to  come  on  man- 
fully, and  not  shrink  back  like  cowards. 

In  the  mean  time  the  king  and  bishop  had  been 
waiting  in  church ;  the  processional  psalm  was  ended, 
the  red-hot  ploughshares  were  laid  in  the  choir,  and 
were  gradually  cooling  ;  but  no  Grettir  came. 

At  the  same  time  sounds  of  uproar  entered  the 
church,  and  the  king  sent  out  to  know  what  was  the 
matter.  His  messenger  returned  a  moment  after 
with  a  report,  that,  without  the  cathedral,  the  Ice- 
lander was  fighting  the  whole  town.  ; 

The  king  thereupon  sprang  from  his  throne, 
hastened  down  the  nave,  and  came  out  of  the  great 
western  door  whilst  the  conflict  was  at  its  height. 

"  O  sire ! "  exclaimed  Grettir :  "  see  how  I  can 
fight  the  rascals  !  "  and,  at  the  word,  he  knocked  a 
man  over  at  the  king's  feet.  ,  ;-^;         r. 

"Hold,  hold!"  exclaimed  Olaf.  "What  have 
you  done,  throwing  away  the  chance  of  exculpating 
yourself  from  the  charge  laid  against  you  ?  " 

"  I  am  ready  now,  sire,"  answered  Grettii,  wiping 
the  perspiration  and  blood  from  his  face,  and  smooth- 
ing down  his  hair,  which  was  standing  on  end.  "  Let 
us  go  into  the  church  at  once  :  I  am  longing  for  the 
red-hot  ploughshare  ," 

He  would  have  pushed  past  the  king,  had  not  Olaf 
prevented  him,  saying  that  his  opportunity  was  past, 
as  he  was  guilty  of  mortal  sin  in  having  killed  the 
young  man  who  had  assaulted  him,  and  maimed  so 
many  other  persons. 


GRETTIR  OUTLAWED. 


163 


I 


II 


*'  What  is  to  be  done  ?  "  exclaimed  Gretur.  "  I 
have  undergone  all  that  week  of  fasting  for  nothing. 
Sire,  might  not  I  become  your  henchman  ?  You  will 
find  me  stronger  than  most  men." 

"True  enough,"  answered  the  king:  "few  men 
have  the  strength  and  courage  which  you  possess  ; 
but  ill-luck  attends  on  you.  Besides,  I  dare  not 
keep  you  by  me,  as  you  woul  I  continually  be  getting 
into  hot  water.  Now  this  I  decree  :  vou  shall  be  in 
peace  during  the  winter  ;  but  with  the  return  of  sum- 
mer you  shall  be  outlawed,  and  go  to  Iceland,  where 
I  forewarn  you,  you  shall  lay  your  bones." 

Grettir  answered,  "  I  should  like  first  to  get  rid  of 
the  charge  of  the  hostel-burning,  for,  honor  bright  I  I 
never  intended  to  do  the  mischief." 

"  That  is  likely  enough,"  said  the  king  ;  "  but  it  is 
quite  impossible  now  for  you  to  go  through  the  or- 
deal." 

After  this,  Grettir  hung  about  the  town  for  some 
while ;  but  Olaf  paid  no  further  attention  to  him ; 
so  at  last  he  went  off  to  stay  the  rest  of  the  winter 
with  a  kinsman. 

On  the  return  of  spring,  the  news  of  what  Grettir 
had  done  reached  Iceland  ;  and,  when  they  came  to 
the  ears  of  Thorir  of  Garth,  he  rode  with  all  his 
friends  and  clients  to  Thing,  and  brought  an  action 
against  Grettir  for  the  burning  of  his  sons.  Some 
men  thought  that  the  action  was  illegal,  as  the  de- 
fendant was  not  present  to  take  exception  ;  however, 
the  end  of  the  action  was,  that  Grettir  was  outlawed 
through  the  length  and  breadth  of  Iceland.  Thorir 
set  a  price  on  his  head,  and  proved  the  bitterest  of 
Grettir's  foes. 


I  «>i 


.1        .<! 


Lf^ 


n 


TV 


III 

■'if  iSlill 


I 


1' 


'1:1 
r 


!?■ 


!! 


:i 


I , 


itii"'  ' 


•{ft 


!!.,, 


164 


TJIE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


Towards  the  close  of  the  summer,  Grettir  arrived 
ill  a  vessel  off  the  mouth  of  the  White  River,  in  Bor- 
gar-fjord. 

It  was  a  still  summor  night  when  the  ship  dropped 
anchor.  The  Skarths-heithi  chain  was  purple ;  but 
Baula's  short  cone  was  steeped  in  gold,  and  the  dis- 
tant silver  cap  of  Ok  shone  in  the  sun's  rays,  like  a 
rising  moon.  The  steam  rising  from  the  numerous 
springs  in  Reykholts-dale  was  rounded  and  white  in 
the  cool,  still  air.  '  Flights  of  Svvans  sailed  overhead 
with  their  harp-like  melody.  As  the  gulls  dipped  in 
the  calm  water,  every  featLer  of  their  white  wings 
was  reflected.  A  boat  came  from  shore,  anJL  was 
rowed  to  the  ship.  - 

Grettir  stood  watching  it  from  th  bows,  leaning 
on  his  sword.  As  the  smack  touched  the  side  of  the 
ship,  "  What  news  ?  "  he  called.  *^       - 

"Are  you  Grettir,  Asmund's  son?  "  asked  a  man 
rising  in  the  boat.       -   *•       ^t' i/^     -       ^   ^'i  :  j.- 

"  I  am,"  replied  Gn^ttir.       '      ^        - 

*'  Then  we  bear  you  ill  news  :  your  father  is  dead  I  " 

Another  man  stood  up  in  the  boat,  and  said, 
*'  Grettir,  your  brother  has  been  murdered  I  " 

"  And  you,"  called  a  third  boatman,  "  have  been 
outlawed  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  Ice- 
land ! " 

It  is  said  that  Grettir  did  not  chaage  color,  nor  did 
a  muscle  in  his  whole  body  quiver ;  but  he  lifted  up 
his  voice,  and  sang,  — 

**  All  at  once  are  showered 
Round  me,  rhyme-collector, 
Tidings  sad,  —  my  exile, 


GRETTIR  AT  HOME. 


165 


lid, 


Father's  loss,  and  brother's, 
Branching  boughs  of  battle. 
Many  blue-blade  breakers 
Shall  bewail  my  sorrow."  . 

One  night  Grettir  swam  ashore,  obtained  a  horse, 
and  reached  the  Middle  Frith  in  two  days.  He  ar- 
rived at  home  by  night,  when  all  were  asleep ;  so, 
instead  of  disturbing  the  household,  he  went  round 
to  the  back  of  the  house,  opened  a  private  door, 
stepped  into  the  hall,  stole  up  to  his  mother's  bed, 
and  threw  his  aims  round  her  neck. 

She  started  up,  and  asked  vvho  was  there.  When 
ue  told  her,  she  clasped  him  to  her  heart,  and  laid 
her  head,  sobbing,  on  his  breast,  saying,  "  O  my 
boy  !  I  am  bereaved  of  my  children ;  Atli,  my  eld- 
est, is  murdered,  and  you  are  outlawed ;  only  my 
baby  lUugi  remains !  " 

Grettir  remained  at  home  for  some  days,  till  Thorir 
of  Garth  learned  where  he  was,  and  then  he  was 
compelled  to  fly.  He  was  hunted  from  place  to  place, 
and  to  the  last  Thorir  remained  his  implacable  enemy. 

We  have  not  space  to  follow  the  hunted  hero  to  all 
his  hiding-places  in  caves  and  among  lonely  summits. 
Before  introducing  another  scene  in  his  strange  career, 
we  add  a  note  from  Prof.  Bjarnasson  respecting  him : 
*'  He  is  at  this  time  a  very  interesting  character  in  the 
public  opinion  there.  The  common  people  believe  in 
fate  that  marks  this  Saga ;  and  all  the  best  minds  of 
GUI'  national  literature  will  always  suggest  the  philo- 
sophic, melancliolic,  but  also  jovial  character  of  the 
hero  highly  beloved." 


*«:! 


J, 


I 


il 


rl'!. 


if 


1  m 


ill! 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Haunted  Sheepfokls.  —  Strange  Shepherd.  —  His  Fate.  —  Grettii 
succeeds  Hun. — Terrible  Scenes. — Final  Struggle.  —  The  Vam- 
pire's Grave. 

IN  the  beginning  of  the  eleventh  century,  there 
stood,  a  little  way  up  the  Valley  of  Shadows, 
on  the  northern  route  from  Thingvalla,  a  small 
farm  occupied  by  a  worthy  bonder  named  Thor- 
hall,  and  his  wife.  Thorhall  would  have  been  a 
happy  man,  but  for  one  circumstance,  —  his  sheep- 
walks  were  haunted.  ^ 

Not  a  herdsman  would  remain  with  him.  He 
bribed,  threatened,  entreated,  all  to  no  purpose :  one 
shepherd  after  another  left  his  service  ;  and  things 
came  to  such  a  pass,  that  he  determined  on  asking 
advice  at  the  next  annual  council.       • 

Skaptiv  Thorodd's  son,  was  lawgiver  at  that  time  ; 
and  as  every  one  considered  him  a  man  of  the 
utmost  prudence,  and  able  to  give  the  best  advice, 
our  friend  from  the  Vale  of  Shadows  made  straight 
for  his  booth,  when  the  Althing  met  at  Thingvalla. 

*'  An  awkward  predicament,  certainly,  to  have 
large  droves  of  sheep,  and  no  one  to  look  after 
them,"  said  Skapti,  nibbling  tho  nail  of  his  thumo, 
and  shaking  his  wise  head,  —  a  head  as  atuflKi 
with  law  as  a  ptai'migana  crop  is  stuffed  witb  ^-Vt- 


HAUNTED  SHEEPFOLDS. 


167 


berrieu.  *'  Now,  I'll  tell  you  what :  as  you  have 
asked  my  advice,  I  will  help  you  to  a  shepherd,  a 
character  in  \m  way  ;  a  man  of  dull  intellect,  to  be 
sure,  but  stro/i/^  an  a  biiH.     He  is  called  Gldmr." 

*'  I  do  not  care  about  bin  wits,  so  long  as  he  can 
look  after  sheep,"  answered  Thorhall. 

"  You  may  reJy  on  his  being  able  to  do  t!iat,"  said 
Skapti.  "  lie  is  a  stout,  plucky  fellow ;  a  Swede 
from  Sylgsdale,  if  you  know  where  that  is." 

lie  rode  away  to  Armaun's-fell ;  and,  when  he  drew 
near,  he  met  a  strange-looking  man  driving  before 
him  a  horse  laden  with  fagots. 

"  Pray  what  is  your  name,  my  man  ?  "  asked  the 
farmer,  pulUng  up. 

"  Gldmr,  an  please  you  I  "  replied  the  wood-cutter. 
Thorhall  stared  ;  then,  with  a  preliminary  cough,  he 
asked  how  Glamr  liked  fagot-picking. 

*' Not  much,"  was  the  answer:  *' I  prefer  shepherd 
Hfe." 

"  Will  you  come  with  me  ?  "  asked  Thorhall : 
"  Skapti  has  handed  you  over  to  me,  and  I  want  a 
shepherd  this  winter  uncommonly." 

"  If  I  serve  you,  it  is  with  the  understanding  that 
I  come  and  go  as  pleases  me.  I  tell  you  I'm  a  bit 
truculent  if  things  do  not  go  just  to  my  thinking." 

"  I  shall  not  object  to  this,"  answered  the  bonder, 
"  so  I  may  count  on  your  services." 

"  Wait  a  moment  !  You  have  not  told  me 
whether  there  be  any  drav/back." 

"  I  must  acknowledge  that  there  is  one,"  said 
Thorhall ;  "  in  fact,  the  sheep walkji  have  got  a  bad 
name  for  bogies."   i:_,_:^ 1_„         -  — -    ..^  -^  ^^ 


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168 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


"  Pshaw  I  I'm  not  the  man  to  be  scared  at 
shadows,"  lauglied  Glamr ;  *'  so  here's  my  hand  to 
it :  I'll  be  with  you  at  the  beginning  of  the  winter 
night." 

Well,  after  this,  they  parted,  and  presently  the 
farmer  found  his  ponies.  Having  thanked  Skapti 
for  his  advice  and  assistance,  he  got  his  horses  to- 
gether, and  trotted  home.  Summer,  and  then 
autumn,  passed,  but  not  a  word  about  the  new  shep- 
herd reached  the  Valley  of  Shadows. 

One  gusty  night  a  violent  blow  at  the  door 
startled  all  the  farm ;  in  another  moment,  Gldmr, 
tall  as  a  troll,  stood  in  the  hall  glowering  out  of  his 
wild  eyes,  his  gray  hair  matted  with  frost,  his  teeth 
rattling  and  snapping  with  cold,  his  face  blood-red 
in  the  glare  of  the  fire  which  smouldered  in  the 
centre  of  the  hall. 

Thorhall  jumped  up,  and  greeted  him  wari/»)/  ;  )/iit 
the  housfiwife  waH  too  frightened  to  be  v^^ry  cordial. 
Weeks  passed,  and  the  new  shepherd  was  daily  on 
the  moors  with  his  flocks ;  his  loud  and  deep-tx)ned 
voice  was  oftt-n  borne  down  on  the  blast,  as  he 
shouted  to  the  sheep,  driving  them  into  the  fold. 

His  presence  a^ays  produced  gloom ;  and,  if  he 
spoke,  it  »»ent  a  thrill  through  the  women,  who 
openly  proclaimed  their  aversion  for  him* 

There  was  a  church  near  the  byre,  but  Gldmr 
never  crossed  the  threshold :  he  hated  psalmody, 
which  shows  what  a  bad  man  he  was. 

A  raw  day  came ;  masses  of  gray  vapor  rolled  up 
from  the  Arctic  Ocean,  and  hung  in  piles  about  the 
j©yuntain-to^.     Ajs  the  4ay  declined,  snow  began  to 


THE  STRANGE  SHEPnERD. 


1G9 


fall  it.  large  flakes,  like  the  down  of  the  eider-duck. 
One  moment  there  was  a  lull  in  the  wind ;  and  then 
the  deep-toned  shout  of  Glamr,  high  up  the  moor- 
slopes,  was  heard  by  the  congregation  assembling 
for  the  first  vespers.  Darkness  came  on,  deep  as 
that  in  the  rayless  abysses  of  Surtshellir,  and  still 
the  snow  fell  thicker.  The  lights  from  the  church- 
windows  sent  a  yellow  haze  far  out  into  the  night, 
and  every  flake  burned  golden  as  it  swept  within 
the  ray.  The  bell  in  the  lych-gate  clanged  f  jr  even- 
song, and  the  wind  puffed  the  sound  far  up  the 
glen  ;  perhaps  it  reached  the  herdsman's  ear.  Hark  I 
some  one  caught  a  distant  shout  or  shritik ;  whi(3h  it 
was  he  could  not  tell,  for  the  wind  muttered  and 
mumbled  about  the  church-eaves,  and  then,  with  a 
fiiUfafi  whistle,  scudded  over  the  graveyard  fence. 

Gldmr  had  not  returned  when  the  service  was 
over.  Thorhall  suggested  a  search,  brft  no  man 
ofnlH  accoMpany  him ;  and  no  wonder  !  it  was  not  a 
night  for  a  dr/g  to  be  out  in ;  besides,  the  tracks 
were  a  foot  deep  in  snow.  The  family  sat  up  all 
night,  waitinp^,  listening,  trembling;  but  no  Gldmr 
came  home.  Dawn  broke  at  last,  wan  and  blear  in 
the  south.  The  clouds  hung  down  like  great  sheets, 
full  of  snow,  almost  to  bursting. 

A  party  was  soon  formed  to  search  for  the  missing 
man.  Presently  they  were  called  together  about  a 
trampled  spot  in  the  heithi,  where  evidently  a  death- 
struggle  had  takeji  place,  for  earth  and  stone  were 
tossed  about,  and  the  snow  was  blotched  with  large 
splashes  of  blood.  A  gory  track  led  up  the  moun- 
tain ;  and  the  farm-servants  were  following  it,  when  a 


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170 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRF. 


cry,  almost  of  agony,  from  one  of  the  lads  made 
them  turn.  In  looking  behind  a  rock,  the  boy  had 
some  upon  the  corpse  of  the  shepherd.  It  was  livid, 
and  swollen  to  the  size  of  a  bullock ;  it  lay  on  its 
back  with  the  arms  extended.  The  snow  had  been 
scrabbled  up  by  the  puffed  hands  in  the  death  agony  ; 
and  the  staring  glassy  eyes  gazed  out  of  the  ashen- 
gray  upturned  fac  2,  into  the  vaporous  canopy  over- 
head. From  the  purple  lips  lolled  the  tongue,  which 
in  the  last  throes  had  been  bitten  through  by  the 
horrid  white  fangs ;  and  a  discolored  stream  which 
had  flowed  from  it  was  now  an  icicle. 

A  cairn  was  raised  over  it  on  the  spot. 

Two  nights  after  this,  one  of  the  thralls  who  had 
gone  after  the  cows  burst  into  the  stofa  with  a  face 
blank  and  scared  ;  he  staggered  to  a  seat,  and  fainted. 
On  recovering  his  senses,  in  a  broken  voice,  he  as- 
sured all  who  crowded  about  him  that  he  had  seen 
Gldmr  walking  past  him,  as  he  left  the  door  of  the 
stable.  On  the  following  evening  a  house-boy  was 
found  in  a  fit  under  the  tun  wall ;  and  he  remained 
an  idiot  to  his  dying  day.  Some  of  the  women  next 
saw  a  face,  which,  though  blown  out  and  discolored, 
they  recognized  as  that  of  Gldmr  looking  in  upon 
them  through  a  window  of  the  dairy.  In  the  twi- 
light Thorhall  himself  met  the  dead  man,  who  stood 
and  glowered  at  him,  but  made  no  attempt  to  injure 
his  master.  The  haunting  did  not  end  there.  Nightly 
a  heavy  tread  was  heard  around  the  house,  and  a 
hand  feeling  along  the  walls,  sometimes  thrust  in  at 
the  windows,  at  others  clutching  at  the  woodwork, 
and  breaking  it  to  splinters.     However,  when  the 


TnORGANT. 


171 


spring  came  round,  the  disturbances  lessened  ;  and,  as 
the  sun  obtained  full  power,  ceased  altogether. 

That  summer  a  vessel  from  Norway  dropped 
anchor  at  Hunavatu.  Thorhall  visited  it,  and 
found  on  board  a  man  named  Thorgant,  who  was  in 
search  of  work. 

"  What  do  you  say  to  being  my  shepherd  ?  "  asked 
the  bonder. 

"I  should  much  like  the  office,"  answered  Thor- 
gant. "  I  am  as  strong  as  two  ordinary  men,  and  a 
handy  fellow,  to  boot." 

"  I  will  not  engage  you  without  forewarning  you 
of  the  terrible  things  you  may  have  to  encounter 
during  the  winter  night." 

"  Pray,  what  may  they  be  ?  " 

"  Ghosts  and  hobgoblins,"  answered  the  farmer. 
**  A  fine  dance  they  lead  me,  I  assure  you." 

"  I  fear  them  not,"  answered  Thorgant :  "  I  shall 
be  with  you  at  cattle-slaughtering  time." 

At  the  appointed  season  the  man  came,  and  soon 
established  himself  as  a  favorite  in  the  household. 

At  last  Christmas  Eve  came  round,  and  Thorgant 
went  out  as  usual  with  his  sheep. 

"  Have  a  care,  man !  "  urged  the  bonder.  "  Go  not 
near  to  the  gill-head  where  Glamr  lies." 

"  Tut,  tut  1  fear  not  for  me :  I  shall  be  back  by 
vespers." 

"  God  grant  it  I  "  sighed  the  housewife ;  *  but  'tis 
a  wisht  day,  to  be  sure."  The  natives  are  waiting 
around  the  church-door,  but  no  Thorgant  has  re- 
turned. They  find  him,  next  morning,  lying  across 
Gldmr's  cairn,  with  his  spine,  his  leg,  and  arm-bones 


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THE   ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


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shattered.  He  is  conveyed  to  the  churchyard,  and  a 
cross  is  set  up  at  his  head.  He  sleeps  till  the  resiir- 
rection  peacefully. 

Not  so  Gldmr:  he  becomes  more  furious  than 
ever.  No  one  will  remain  with  Thorhall  now  except 
an  old  cowherd  who  has  always  served  the  family, 
and  Aiho  had  long  ago  dandled  his  present  master 
on  his  knee. 

"  All  the  cattle  will  be  lost  if  I  leave,"  said  the 
carle.  "  It  shall  never  be  told  that  I  deserted  Thor- 
hall from  fear  of  a  spectre." 

Grettir  was  in  Iceland ;  and,  as  the  hauntings  of 
this  vale  were  matter  of  gossip  throughout  the  dis- 
trict, he  heard  of  them,  and  resolved  on  visiting  the 
scene.  So  Grettir  busked  himself  for  a  cold  ride, 
mounted  his  horse,  and,  in  due  course  of  time,  drew 
rein  at  the  door  of  Thorhall's  farm,  with  the  request 
that  he  might  be  accommodated  there  for  the  night. 

"  Ahem  I  "  coughed  the  bonder  ;  "  perhaps  you  axe 
not  aware  " —  ).^,....^^.,\.:.-  ,\^_  .-r/..:.y^,r' 

"  I  am  perfectly  aware  of  all.  I  want  to  catch 
sight  of  the  troll."  %  >'      ::  ;^,^^^^^ 

"  But  your  horse  is  sure  to  be  killed." 

*'  I  will  risk  it.  Gldmr  I  must  meet,  so  there's  an 
end  of  it." 

"  I  am  delighted  to  see  you,"  spoke  the  bonder ; 
"  at  the  same  time,  should  mischief  befall  you,  don't 
lay  the  blame  at  my  door." 

*'  Never  fear,  man." 

So  they  shook  hands ;  the  horse  was  put  into  the 
Btrongest  stable ;  Thorhall  made  Grettir  as  good  cheei 


TnORHALL. 


173 


as  ho  was  ahle,  and  thon,  aa  the  visitor  was  sleepy, 
all  retired  to  rest.  The  night  passed  quietly  enough, 
and  no  sounds  indicated  the  presence  of  a  restless 
spirit.  The  horse,  moreover,  wa.  found  next  morn- 
ing in  good  condition,  enjoying  his  hay. 

"  This  is  unexpected,"  exclaimed  the  bonder  glee- 
fully. *'  Now  wher.'s  the  saddle  ?  We'll  clap  it  on, 
and  then  good-by,  and  a  merry  journey  to  you !  " 

"  Good-by  I  "  echoed  Grettir  :  "  I  am  going  to  stay 
here  another  night." 

"  You  had  better  be  advised,"  urged  Thorhall. 
"If  misfortune  should  overtake  you,  I  know  that 
all  your  kinsmen  would  visit  it  on  my  head." 

"  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  stop,"  said  Grettir ; 
and  he  looked  so  dogged  that  Thorhall  'apposed  him 
no  more. 

All  was  quiet  next  night;  not  a  sound  roused 
Grettir  from  his  slumber.  Next  morning  he  went 
with  the  farmer  to  the  stable.  The  stiong  wooden 
door  was  shivered,  and  driven  in.  They  stepped 
across  it :  Grettir  called  to  his  horse,  but  there  was 
no  responsive  whinny. 

"I  cim  afraid,"  began  Thorhall.  Grettir  leaped 
in,  and  found  the  poor  brute  dead,  and  with  its  neck 
broken.  -  •"-< 

"  Now,"  said  Thorhall  quickly,  "  I've  got  a  capital 
horse,  a  skewbald,  down  by  Tunga.  I  shall  not  be 
many  moments  in  fetching  it :  your  saddle  is  here,  I 
think,  and  then  you  will  just  have  time  to  reach  "  — 

"  I  stay  here  another  night,"  interrupted  Grettir. 

*'  I  in.plore  you  to  depart,"  said  Thorhall. 

"  My  horse  is  slain."  .  _  _ 

16* 


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THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


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"  But  I  shall  provide  you  with  another." 

"  Friend,"  answered  Grettir,  turning   so   sharply 
round  that  the  farmer  jumped  back,  half  frightened, 
"no  man  ever  did  me  an  injury  without  rueing  it. 
Now,  your  demon  herdsman  has  been  the  death  ol 
my  horse.     He  must  be  taught  a  lesson." 

*'  Would  that  he  were  I  "  groaned  Thorhall  ,*  "  but 
mortal  must  not  face  him.     Go  in  peace,  and  receive 
compensation  from  me  for  what  has  happened." 
I  must  revenge  my  horse." 

An  obstinate  man  must  have  his  own  way. 
But,  if  you  will  run  your  head  against  a  stone  wall, 
don't  be  angry  because  you  get  a  broken  pate." 

Night  came  on :  Grettir  eat  a  hearty  supper,  and 
was  right  jovial ;  iiot  so  Thorhall,  who  had  his  mis- 
givings. At  bedtime  the  latter  crept  into  his  crib, 
which,  in  the  manner  of  old  Icelandic  beds,  opened 
out  of  the  hall,  as  berths  do  out  of  a  cabin.  Grettir, 
however,  determined  on  remaining  up ;  so  he  flung 
himself  on  a  bench  with  his  feet  against  the  posts  of 
the  high  seat,  and  his  back  against  Thorhall's  crib ; 
then  he  wrapped  one  lappet  of  his  fur  coat  around 
his  feet,  the  other  about  his  head,  keeping  the  neck- 
opening  in  front  of  his  face,  so  that  he  could  look 
through  into  the  hall. 

There  was  a  fire  burning  on  the  hearth,  a  smoul- 
dering heap  of  red  embers ;  every  now  and  then  a 
•  twig  flared  up,  and  crackled,  giving  Grettir  glimpses 
of  the  rafters  as  he  lay  with  his  eyes  wandering 
■  among  the  mysteries  of  the  smoke-blackened  roof. 
The  wind  whistled  softl}'  overhead.  Soothingly  th3 
river  prattled  over  its  shingly  bed  as  it  swept  round 


{Hill; 


THE   VAMPIRE, 


175 


fM 


the  knoll  on  wMch  stood  the  farm.  Grettir  jeard 
the  breathing  of  the  sleeping  women  in  the  adjoin- 
ing chamber,  and  the  sigh  of  the  housewife  as  she 
turned  into  her  bed. 

Click,  click !  It  is  only  the  frozen  turf  on  the 
roof  cracking  with  intense  cold.  The  wind  lulls 
completely.     The  night  is  very  still  without. 

Hark  I  a  heavy  tread,  beneath  which  the  snow 
crackles.  Every  footfall  goes  straight  to  Grettii''s 
heart.  A  crash  on  the  turf  overhead  I  By  ail  the 
saints  in  paradise  !  the  vampire  is  treading  on  the 
roof!  For  one  moment  the  chimney-gap  is  com- 
pletely darkened;  the  n^onster  is  looking  down  it: 
the  llash  of  the  red  ash  is  reflected  in  two  lustreless 
eyes.  Then  tlie  moon  glances  sweetly  in  once  more, 
and  the  heavy  tramp  of  Glamr  is  audibly  moving 
towards  the  farther  end  of  the  hall.  A  thud  I  He 
has  leaped  down.  Grettir  feels  the  board  at  his 
back  quivering ;  for  Thorhall  is  awake,  and  is  trem- 
bling in  his  bed.  The  steps  pass  round  to  the  back 
of  the  house,  and  then  ths  snapping  of  wood  shows 
that  the  creature  is  destroying  some  of  the  out-house 
doors.  He  tires  of  this,  apparently ;  for  his  footfall 
comes  clear  towards  the  main  entrance  to  the  hall. 
The  moon  is  veiled  behind  a  watery  cloud,  and,  by 
the  uncertain  glimmer,  Grettir  fancies  that  he  sees 
two  dark  hands  thrust  in  above  the  door.  His 
apprehensions  are  verified  ;  for,  with  a  loud  snap,  a 
long  strip  of  panel  breaks,  and  light  is  admitted. 
Snap,  snap  I  another  portion  gives  way,  and  the 
gap  becomes  larger.  Then  the  wattles  flip  out  of 
their  laces,  and  a  dark  arm  rips  them  out  in  bunches, 


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176 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


and  flings  them  away.  There  is  a  cross-beam  to  the^ 
door,  holding  a  bolt  which  slides  into  a  stone  groove. 
Against  the  gray  light  Grettir  sees  a  huge  black 
figure  heaving  itself  over  the  bar.  Crack  !  that  has 
given  way,  and  the  rest  of  tna  door  fills  in  shivers 
to  the  earth.  - 

"OGod!"  exclaims  the  bonder. 

Stealthily  the  dead  man  creeps  on,  feeling  at  the 
beams  as  he  comes ;  then  he  stands  in  the  hall  with 
the  fire-light  on  him.  A  fearful  sight :  the  tall  fig- 
ure distended  with  the  corruption  of  the  grave,  the 
nose  fallen  off,  the  wandering,  vacant  eyes,  with  the 
glaze  of  death  on  them,  the  eallow  flesh  patched  with 
green  masses  of  decay ;  the  wolf-gray  hair  and  beard 
have  grown  in  the  tomb,  and  hang  matted  about  the 
shoulders  and  breast ;  the  nails  too,  they  have  grown. 
It  is  a  sickening  sight,  a  thing  to  shudder  at,  not  to 
see. 

Motionless,  with  no  nerve  quivering  now,  Thorhall 
and  Grettir  hold  their  breath. 

Glamr's  lifeless  glance  strayed  round  the  chamber : 
it  rested  on  the  shaggy  bundle  by  the  high-seat. 
Cautiously  he  stepped  towards  it.  Gretdr  felt  him 
groping  about  the  lower  lappet,  and  pulling  at  it. 
The  cloak  did  not  give  way.  Another  jerk  ;  Grettir 
kept  his  feet  firmly  pressed  against  the  posts,  so  that 
the  rug  was  not  pulled  off.  The  vampire  seemed 
puzzled :  he  plucked  at  the  upper  flap,  and  tugged. 
Grettir  held  to  the  bench  and  bed-board,  so  that  he 
was  not  moved  himself,  but  the  cloak  was  rent  in 
twain  ;  and  the  corpse  staggered  back,  holding  half 
in  his  hands,  and  gazing  wonderingly  at  it.     Before 


!i 


STRUGGLE    WITH   THE    VAMPIRE. 


it  had  done  examining  the  shred,  Grettir  started  to 
his  feet,  bowed  his  body,  flung  his  arms  about  the 
carcass,  and,  driving  his  head  into  the  chest,  strove 
to  bend  it  backward,  and  snap  the  spine.  A  vain  at- 
tempt I  The  cold  hands  came  down  on  Grettir'a 
arms  with  diabolical  force,  driving  them  from  their 
hold.  Grettir  clasped  them  about  the  body  again ; 
then  the  arms  closed  round  him,  and  began  dragging 
him  along.  The  brave  man  clung  by  his  feet  to 
benches  and  posts,  but  the  strength  of  the  vampire 
was  greatest :  posts  gave  way,  benches  were  heaved 
from  their  places,  and  the  wrestlers  at  each  moment 
neared  the  door.  Sharply  writhing  loose,  Grettir 
flung  his  hands  round  a  roof-beam.  He  was  dragged 
from  his  feet ;  the  numbing  arms  clinched  him  about 
the  waist,  and  tore  at  him ;  every  tendon  in  his 
breast  was  strained,  the  strain  Tjnder  his  shoulders 
became  excruciating,  the  muscles  stood  out  in  knots. 
Still  he  held  on:  his  fingers  were  bloodless;  the 
pulses  of  his  temples  throbbed  in  jerks ;  the  breath 
came  in  a  whistle  through  his  rigid  nostrils.  All  the 
while,  too,  the  long  nails  of  the  dead  man  cut  into 
his  side,  and  Grettir  could  feel  them  piercing  like 
knives  between  his  ribs.  Ah !  his  hands  gave  way, 
and  the  monster  bore  him  reeling  towards  the  porch, 
crashing  over  the  broken  fragments  of  the  door. 
Hard  as  the  battle  had  gone  with  him  indoors,  Gret- 
tir knew  that  it  would  go  worse  outside  :  so  he  gath- 
ered up  his  remaining  strength  for  one  final  desperate 
struggle. 

As  the   wrestlers    neared    the    opening,   Grettir 
planted  both  his  feet  against  the  stone  posts,  holding 


'!( 


1    i    ' 


i  , 


11  't 


,/t, 


I? 


i; 

1 

i 
i 

*      X        '11 

[    t          1  » 

■       f        I! 

'  if  \ 

.-,.  ■ 

-4il 

'  n 


178 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


III: 


J  I 


m 


: 


III 


M? 


I 


'11! 


i 


!  'Illi 


i;^  n   1    i 


G15,mr  by  the  middle.    He  had  the  advantage  nov? 
The  dead  man  writhed  in  his  arms,  drove  his  talons 
into  Grettir's  back,  and  tore  up  great  ribbons  of  flesh ; 
but  the  stone-jambs  held  firm. 

"•'  Now,"  thought  Grettir,  "  I  can  break  his  back,'* 
and  thrusting  his  head  under  the  chin,  so  that  the 
grizzly  beard  covered  his  eyes,  he  forced  the  face 
from  him,  and  the  back  was  bent  as  a  hazel-rod. 

"  If  I  CPU  but  hold  on,"  thought  Grettir,  and  he 
tried  to  shout  for  Thorhall ;  but  his  voice  was  muf- 
fled in  the  hair  of  the  corpse. 

Crack !  One  or  both  of  the  door-posts  gave  way. 
Down  crashed  the  gable-trees,  ripping  beams  and 
rafters  from  their  beds ;  frozen  clods  of  turf  rattled 
from  the  roof,  and  thumped  into  the  snow.  Glkmr 
fell  on  his  back,  and  Grett'j  staggered  down  on  top 
of  him. 

Grettir's  strength  was  failing  him,  his  hands  quiv- 
ered in  the  snow,  and  he  knew  that  he  could  not 
support  himself  from  dropping  flat  on  the  dead  man's 
face,  eye  to  eye,  hp  to  lip,  nose  to  where  the  nose 
had  been.  The  eyes  of  the  corpse  were  fixed  on 
him,  lit  with  the  cold  glare  of  the  moon.  His  head 
swam,  as  his  heart  sent  a  hot  stream  through  his 
brain. 

Then  a  voice  from  the  gray  lips  said,  — 

"  Thou  hast  acted  madly  in  seeking  to  match  thy- 
bolf  with  me.  Now  learn,  that  henceforth  ill-luck 
shall  constantly  attend  thee,  that  thy  strength  shall 
never  exceed  what  it  is  now,  and  that  by  night  these 
eyes  of  mine  shall  stare  at  thee  through  the  darkness 
till  thy  dying  day,  so  that  for  very  horror  thou  shalt 
not  endure  to  be  alone." 


TEE   VAMPIRE  DEh^TROTED. 


179 


Grettir  at  this  moment  noticed  that  his  dirk  had 
slipped  from  its  sheath  during  the  fall,  and  that  it 
now  lay  conveniently  near  his  hand. 

The  giddiness  which  had  oppressed  him  passed 
away  ;  he  clutched  at  the  sword-haft,  and  with  a  blow 
severed  the  vampire's  throat.  Then,  kneeling  on  the 
breast,  he  hacked  till  the  head  came  off. 

Thorhall  came  out  now,  his  face  blanched  with 
terror ;  but,  when  he  saw  how  the  fray  had  termi- 
nated, he  assisted  Grettir,  gleefully,  to  roU  the  corpse 
on  top  of  a  pile  of  fagots  which  had  been  collected 
for  winter  fuel.  Fire  was  applied ;  and  soon,  far 
down  Vatnsdalr,  the  flames  of  the  p}Te  startled  peo- 
ple, and  made  them  wonder  what  new  horror  wis 
being  enacted  in  the  Vale  of  Shadows. 


?  fti 


I 


11 


M 

1 

1 

1 

r  ' 


.  I 


I 

■ :','  • 

' 

ir 

! 
'i 

'  1 

^    : 

i 

■ 

"  1  k 


i 


!      I   ii 


! 


,1     i      1     IIS' 


Ii  ! 


f^i:i: 

I  ill 


III 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Orettir,  in  Despair,  seeks  Counsel.  —  His  Last  Eefnge.  —  Oittlaw'fl 
Isle.  —  Solitary  Life.  —  Hunted  there  and  killed. 

POOR  Grettirl  hustled  from  pillar  to  post, 
hunted  from  one  retreat  to  another,  he  had 
spent  fifteen  years  of  hardship  such  as  few  men  have 
undergone ;  yet  the  hatred  of  his  deadly  foe,  Thorir, 
had  not  expended  itself.  The  outlaw's  career  drew 
to  a  close. 

At  length,  about  the  year  1029,  finding  that  no  cor- 
ner of  Iceland  was  safe,  he  asked  Guthmundr  the 
wealthy  to  advise  him  whither  he  should  flee,  to  be 
safe  from  his  pursuers. 

"  There  is  only  one  spot  that  I  know  of  where 
you  can  be  in  perfect  security." 

Grettir  replied  that  he  had  hitherto  found  no  such 
spot. 

Guthmundr  continued,  "  There  is  an  islet  in  the 
Skaga-fjord,  hight  Drdngey,  abounding  in  fish  and 
fowl ;  and  no  one  can  ascend  it  except  by  a  rope- 
ladder  which  hangs  down  on  one  of  the  sides.  If 
you  can  reach  that  spot,  then  you  may  be  assured  that 
it  is  in  no  man's  power  to  touch  you,  so  long  as  you 
are  safe  and  somid,  and  able  to  guard  the  ladder." 

"  I  will  venture  out  there,"  said  Grettir ;  "  yet  I 

180 


'  >  V, 


GRETTin   IN  DESPAIR. 


181 


am  so  timorous  in  the  dark,  that,  to  save  my  life,  t 
cannot  abide  alone." 

Guthmundr  answered,  "  Nay,  but  I  advise  you 
to  trust  no  one  but  your  own  self." 

Grettir  thanked  him  for  his  advice,  and  then  ha.3t- 
ened  home  to  his  mother,  at  Bjarg,  in  the  Middle 
Frith.  The  fear  of  the  dark  to  which  he  alluded 
hiid  come  on  him  ever  since  his  wrestle  with  Gldinr, 
but  had  increased  considerably  of  late.  No  sooner 
did  darkness  set  in,  than  the  terrible  eyes  of  the 
vampire  seemed  to  stare  at  him  from  the  gloom.  He 
slept  lightly,  starting  in  his  dreams,  and  waking 
repeatedly  during  the  night.  This  was  undoubtedly 
brought  on  by  the  unceasing  strain  on  his  mind,  and 
the  excitability  of  nerves,  caused  by  the  hourly  peril 
in  which  he  had  been  living  for  so  many  years. 

On  his  arrival  at  Bjarg,  his  mother  greeted  him 
affectionately,  and  told  him  that  she  would  indeed 
be  glad  if  he  could  remain  with  her ;  though  she 
feared  it  would  be  too  venturesome  to  do  so,  as 
Thorir  would  certainly  discover  his  retreat  before 
many  days  had  elapsed. 

The  outlaw  replied  that  he  would  give  her  no  incon- 
venience. "  For,"  said  he,  "  I  care  to  take  no  more 
trouble  about  preserving  my  life.  I  can  bear  my 
solitude  no  longer."  He  then  told  I  lis  mother  of 
Guthmundr's  advice ;  adding,  that  he  would  try  his 
best  to  reach  Drdngey,  but  that  he  must  endeavor 
to  secure  some  trustworthy  companion  ^o  be  with 
him. 

lUugi,  his  brother,  now  fifteen  years  old,  a  fine, 
noble  boy,  was  present  during  the  conversation ;  and, 

16 


iMI 


I 


jH' 


182 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


-  ' 


at  these  words  of  Grettir,  he  started  up,  caught  his 
hand,  and  said,  — 

"  Brotlier,  I  will  go  with  you  if  I  may,  though  I 
fear  you.  will  look  upon  me  as  a  feeble  helpmate  ;  yet 
I  will  be  faithful  to  you,  and  stand  by  you  to  the 
last." 

Grettir  answered,  "  Of  all  men,  my  brother,  T 
would  rather  have  you  with  me  ;  and  willingly  wi]l 
I  consent  to  your  joining  your  lot  with  mine,  if  our 
mother  has  no  objection." 

"Sorrows  never  come  singly,"  replied  the  aged 
woman.  "  I  can  hardly  bear  to  part  with  Illugi ;  yet 
I  know  how  dire  is  your  necessity  of  a  comrade,  son 
Grettir :  therefore  I  will  not  be  i  jlfish,  and  keep 
him.  It  costs  me  a  bitter  pang  to  part  with  both  my 
sons  in  one  day." 

Illugi  was  delighted  at  having  thus  easily  obtained 
that  on  which  he  had  set  his  heart,  and  he  thanked 
his  mother  cordially. 

The  mother  provided  her  sons  with  money,  and 
such  chattels  as  they  would  require  on  the  island ; 
and  then  she  accompanied  them  outside  the  farm- 
yard, and,  before  parting  with  them,  said,  "  Farewell, 
my  two  brave  boys  I  I  know  that  I  shall  never  see 
you  again ;  but,  what  will  befall  you  in  Drdngey,  I 
know  not.  Only  of  this  I  am  certain,  that  there 
you  will  die,  for  many  will  resent  your  occupation  of 
that  island.  My  dreams  have  long  forewarned  me 
that  you  will  not  be  divided  in  your  deaths.  Be- 
ware of  treachery,  shun  any  dealings  with  sorcery  ; 
for  nothing  is  more  powerful  than  witchcraft.  My 
blessing  be  upon  you  both  I "    She  could  speak  no 


GRETTIR  ON   THE  ISLAND. 


183 


more,  for  her  voice  was  choked  w'lih.  sobs ;  so,  sit- 
ting down  on  a  stone,  she  covered  her  eyes  with  her 
hands,  and  the  teara  trickled  between  her  fingers, 
falling  in  bright  drops  on  her  lap. 

"  Do  not  weep,  mother,"  said  Grettir :  ''  what 
though  we  both  die  ?  It  shall  ever  be  said  of  you 
that  you  bore  sons,  and  not  daughters.  Long  life  and 
health  attend  you  I  " 

Then  they  parted ;  and  the  brothers  went  north, 
and  visited  their  kiiisraen.  Here  they  met  a  tall, 
tliin,  ragged  man,  a  bachelor,  whose  chatty,  gossip- 
ing ways  Grettir  liked,  and  induced  him  to  join 
them  in  exile.     His  name  was  Glaum. 

After  this  they  went  to  Reynines ;  thence  they 
proceeded  to  the  strand,  where  there  is  a  li title  byre, 
Reykir,  with  a  hot  spring,  in  the  tun,  belonging  to  a 
man  named  Thorwaldr.  Grettir  offered  him  a  bag 
of  silver  if  he  would  flit  him  across  to  Drdngey  by 
moonlight,  and  to  this  the  man  agreed. 

On  arriving  at  his  destination,  Grettir  was  well 
pleased  with  the  spot ;  for  it  was  covered  with  a  pro- 
fusion of  grass,  and  was  so  precipitous  that  it 
seemed  impossible  for  any  one  to  ascend  it  without 
the  aid  of  the  rope-ladder,  which  hung  from  strong 
staples,  at  the  summit.  In  summer  the  place  would 
swarm  with  sea-birds,  and  at  that  time  there  were 
eighty  sheep  ^eft  on  the  island  for  fattening. 

One  of  the  principal  chiefs  in  the  Skaga-fjord  was 
Thorbjorn,  nicknamed  "  The  Hook,"  a  hard-hearted, 
ill-disposed  fellow. 

As  many  as  twenty  farmers  had  rights  of  pastur- 
age on  Drtogey ;  but  the  Hook  and  his  brother  had 
the  greatest  share. 


(i  t  .J 

n-  ■ 


I    ''''I 
I 


II 


Iff 


[fll™ 


M  i 


it!'!!' 


ill! 


t 

i    I  ;    iltlliiiiUM! 


{     . 


if: 


jjijiiii  iiiij 


>i   I 


;i     !      I 

H  J 


r- 

*    ^      ■        '       ' 

1        ' 

.     ■!  :    ■ 

'  f    f  ■    : 

184 


THE  INLAND   OF  FTRE. 


About  the  time  of  the  winter  solstice,  the  bonct- 
ers  busked  them  to  visit  the  island,  and  biin<^ 
home  their  sheep.  They  rowed  out  in  a  large  l)oat, 
and,  on  ncaring  the  island,  were  surprised  to  see 
figures  moving  on  the  top  of  the  cliffs.  How  any 
one  had  reached  the  islet  without  their  knowledge 
was  a  puzzle  to  them,  and  they  had  not  the  slightest 
suspicion  who  these  occupants  could  be.  Tliey 
pulled  hard  for  the  landing-place  where  hung  the 
ladder,  but  Grettir  drew  it  up  before  the  boat 
stranded. 

The  bonders  shouted  to  know  who  those  were  on 
the  crags ;  and  Grettir,  looking  over,  told  them. 

The  bonders  asked  who  had  flitted  him  across  to 
the  island.  Grettir  answered,  "  If  you  wish  partic- 
ularly to  know,  I  will  tell  you :  it  was  a  man  with  a 
good  boat  and  strong  arms,  and  one  who  was  rather 
my  friend  than  yours." 

"  Let  us  get  our  sheep,"  cried  the  bonders ;  "  and 
you  come  to  land  with  us.  We  will  charge  you 
nothing  for  those  of  our  sheep  which  you  have 
eaten,  and  we  will  let  you  go  from  us  in  pe^ce."' 

"  Well  offered,"  answered  Grettir ;  **  but  he  who 
takes  keeps  hold,  and  a  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth 
two  in  the  bush.  Believe  me,  I  never  leave  the 
island  till  I  am  canied  from  it  dead." 

The  bonders  were  silenced :  it  seemed  to  them 
that  they  had  got  an  ugly  customer  on  Drdngey,  to 
get  rid  of  whom  would  be  no  easy  matter ;  so  they 
rowed  home,  very  ill  pleased  at  the  result  of  their 
expedition. 

The  news  spread  like  wildfire,  and  was  talked 


:  P       I 


ORETTIR  AT  THE  COVNCIL. 


18ft 


about  all  tlirongli  the  neighborhood ;  but  no  ouo 
could  devise  a  plan  for  getting  rid  of  the  outlaw. 

Winter  passed ;  and,  at  the  beginning  of  spring, 
the  whole  district  met  at  the  "  Thing,"  or  Council, 
of  Hegraness,  an  extensive  island  at  the  mouth  of 
Heradsvatn  River.  The  gathering  was  thronged, 
and  the  litigations  and  merry-making  made  the 
Thing  last  over  many  days.  Grettir  guessed  what 
was  going  on,  by  seeing  a  number  of  boats  pass  the 
head  of  the  fjord.  He  became  very  restless,  and  at 
last  announced  to  his  brother  that  he  intended  being 
present  at  the  council.  Illugi  thought  this  sheer 
madness,  but  Grettir  was  resolute.  He  begged 
Illugi  and  Glaum  to  watch  the  ladder,  and  await 
his  return. 

Then  he  crossed  to  the  mainland,  and  hastened  in 
disguise  to  the  council,  where  he  found  that  sports 
of  all  kinds  were  going  on  among  the  able-bodied 
young  men.  Grettir  was  dressed  in  an  old-fashioned 
suit,  very  dirty,  and  falling  to  tatters.  He  had  on  a 
fur  cap,  which  was  drawn  closely  over  his  eyes,  and 
concealed  his  face  so  that  no  one  recognized  him. 
He  sauntered  among  the  booths  till  he  reached  the 
spot  where  the  games  were  taking  place. 

Among  the  wrestlers,  no  man  surpassed  Thorb- 
jorn  Hook  in  skill  and  prowess.  He  threw  all  the 
strongest  men  of  the  neighborhood ;  and  when  he 
had  cleared  the  ground  of  antagonists,  and  found 
that  there  was  no  one  to  oppose  him,  he  stood  still, 
Q.nd  cast  his  eyes  round  him.  Suddenly  they  rested 
on  a  tall  fellow  in  the  shabbiest  and  quaintest  of 
suits,  but  who  looked  so  strongly  built  that  Thorbjorn 

16* 


'     \    •.! 


■J     I 


M^|i 


ii 


Pi' 


0 


m 


m 


■•  I 


ii  • 


186 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


'M 


^'! 


; 


f   i 


walked  up  to  him,  and  caught  him  by  the  shoulders. 
But  the  man  sat  still,  and  he  could  not  move  him 
from  his  seat.  "  Well,"  exclaimed  the  Hook,  *'  you 
are  the  first  fellow  I  have  seen  for  many  a  day 
whom  I  couldn't  pull  off  his  stool.  Come  now,  and 
wrestle  with  me ;  yet  tell  me  first  what  is  youi' 
name  ?  " 

"  Guest,"  answered  the  stranger. 

"A  welcome  guest  too,"  quoth  the  bully,  "^'if 
you  will  wrestle  with  me." 

The  man  replied  that  they  would  not  be  fairly 
matched,  as  he  was  little  skilled  in  athletic  sports. 

Several  men  now  chimed  in,  begging  the  stranger 
to  try  what  he  could  dc  with  Thorbjom,  or,  at  all 
events,  with  one  of  the  others. 

"  Long,  long  ago,"  quoth  he,  "  I  was  able  to 
throw  my  man  as  well  as  the  best  of  you ;  but  those 
days  are  gone  by,  and  now  I  am  out  of  practice." 

As  he  only  half  refused,  the  bystanders  urged 
him  all  the  more. 

*'  Now  mark  you  I  "  said  he ;  "I  yield  on  one  con- 
dition ;  and  that  is,  that  you  take  your  oath  to  let  me 
go  free  to  my  home,  without  one  of  you  lifting  a 
hand  again?t  me." 

There  was  a  general  shout  of  acquiescence ;  and 
Hafr,  one  of  the  number,  recited  the  peace-oath, 
which  was,  in  its  curses  upon  the  violation  of  it, 
more  fearful  than  the  anathemas  of  papal  Rome. 
He  was  to  be  **  cast  out  of  the  presence  of  God, 
good  men,  and  the  heavenly  kingdom ;  banished 
from  churches,  the  company  of  Christian  men,  from 
heathen  folk,  from  house  and  den,  from  every  home 
save  hell  I " 


W'f 


GBETTIR  AT  THE  COUNCIL. 


187 


.  ! 


After  a  little  hesitation  the  oath  was  taken  by  all 

Then  said  Guest,  *'  No^^r  you  have  done  well,  onl^ 
beware  of  breaking  your  oaths.  I  am  ready  on  my 
part,  without  delay,  to  fulfil  your  wishes."  Then 
he  flung  aside  his  hood,  and  almost  all  his  tatters. 

The  assembled  chiefs  looked  at  each  other,  and 
were  rather  disconcerted ;  for  they  saw  that  there 
i.  ood  before  them  the  redoubted  Grettir,  Asmund'f 
son.  They  were  silent,  and  Hafr  thought  that  he  had 
acted  somewhat  rashly.  The  throng  broke  up  into 
knot3,  and  began  to  discuss  whether  the  oath  should 
be  kept  or  not. 

"  Come  now,"  shouted  Grettir :  "  let  me  know 
your  purpo^s,  for  I  shall  not  long  sit  naked.  There 
is  more  danger  to  you  than  to  me,  in  the  breach  of 
your  oaths." 

He  got  no  answer,  but  the  chiefs  moved  away  to 
discuss  the  question.  Some  wanted  to  break  the 
truce ;  others  wanted  to  keep  it.  Then  Grettir 
sang, — ■ 

"  Many  trees  of  vealth,  this  morning. 
Failed  the  well-krown,  well  to  know, 
Two  ways  turn  the  sea-flame  branches, 
When  a  trick  on  them  is  tried. 
Falter  folk  their  oath  fulfilling, 
Hafr's  talking  lips  are  dumb." 

Said  a  man  bight  Tongue-stone,  "  Yon  think  so, 
do  you,  Grettir  ?  Well,  you  are  a  man  of  dauntlesa 
courage :  I  will  say  that  for  you.  Look  now  I  the 
chiefs  are  in  deep  consultation  about  what  is  to  be 
don«  with  you." 


l!  K 


11 


w 


&i 


'i 


188 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


,     Then  Grettir  sang, — 

"Lifters  of  shields  rub  their  noses, 
Shield-tempest  gods  shake  their  beards, 
Fierce-hearted  serpents'  lair  scatterers 
Go  on  their  waj,  much  regretting, 
Peace  they  have  made,  —  now  they  Jcnow  me  I  " 

Then  out  spake  Hjalii  of  H6f,  brother  of  TJHorb- 
jorn  Hook :  "  Never  let  it  be  said  of  us,  that  we 
break  an  oath,  even  though  it  were  inconsiderately 
taken.  Grettir  shall  be  at  full  liberty  to  go  to  his 
home  in  peace ;  and  woe  betide  him  who  lays  hand 
on  him  to  do  him  injury  I  But,  should  he  venture 
again  ashore,  we  are  free  from  our  oath." 

All,  except  Thorbjorn  Hook,  agreed  to  this,  and 
were  glad  that  Hjalti  had  spoken  out  as  became  a 
chieftain.  ■:"'/''-:-r'^''^y'-'.-''- 

The  wrestling  began  by  Grettir  being  matched  with 
Thorbjorn ;  and,  after  a  short  struggle,  Grettir  freed 
himself  from  his  antagonist,  leaped  over  his  back, 
caught  him  by  the  belt  of  his  trousers,  lifted  him  off 
his  legs,  and  flung  him  over  his  back. 

It  was  next  proposed  that  Grettir  should  be 
matched  against  the  two  brothers  together,  and  he 
readily  agreed  to  this.  The  wrestling  continued 
with  unabated  vigor,  and  it  was  impossible  to  tell 
which  side  had  the  mastery;  for,  though  Grettir 
repeatedl}'  threw  one  brother  after  the  other,  yet  he 
was  unable  to  hold  them  both  down  at  the  same 
time.  After  that  all  three  were  covered  with  biood 
and  bruises,  the  match  was  closcu  bj'^  the  judges 
deciding  that  the  two  brothers  conjointly  were  not 


I 


GRETTIR   ON  THE  ISLAND. 


180 


stronger  than  Grettir  alone,  though  they  were  each 
of  them  as  powerful  as  two  ordinary  abie-hodied 
men. 

Grettir  at  once  left  the  Thing,  rejecting  all  the 
entreaties  of  the  farmers,  that  he  should  leave 
Drangey ;  and,  on  his  return  to  the  little  island,  he 
was  received  by  his  brother  lUugi  with  open  arms. 

The  smaller  bonders  began  to  feel  seriously  their 
want  of  the  island  for  autumn  pasture ;  and,  as  there 
seemed  no  prospect  of  their  getting  rid  of  Grettir, 
they  sold  their  rights  to  Thorbjorn  Hook,  who  set 
himself  in  earnest  to  devise  a  plan  by  which  he  could 
possess  himself  of  the  island. 

When  Grettir  had  been  two  winters  on  the  island, 
be  had  eaten  all  the  sheeD,  except  one  ram,  a  piebald 
fellow  with  magnificent  horns,  which  became  so 
tame,  that  every  evening  he  came  to  the  hovel 
which  Grettir  had  erected,  and  butted  at  the  door 
till  he  was  admitted.  The  brothers  liked  their  place 
of  exile,  as  there  was  no  dearth  of  eggs  and  birds, 
besides  which,  a  considerable  amount  of  drift-timber 
was  thrown  upon  the  strand,  and  served  as  fuel. 

Grettir  and  Illugi  spent  their  days  in  clambering 
among  the  rocks,  and  riflirig  the  nests  ;  and  the  occu- 
pation of  the  thrall  was  to  collect  drift-wood,  and 
keep  up  the  fire  in  the  cottaije. 

The  inhabitants  of  Skaga-fjord  were  ang-y  with 
Thorbjorn  Hook  for  not  having  rid  the  island  of  its 
tenants,  notwithstanding  all  his  fine  promises ;  but 
Tliorbjorn  was  sorely  puzzled  to  know  what  measures 
t")  take. 

During  the  summer,  a  ship  arrived  in  the  frith, 


m 


m\ 


190 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


.m 


ftiliilillii 


■T   I*' 


:ti    I 


commanded  by  a  young,  active  fellow,  Hoering  by 
name,  who  was  famous  for  his  skill  in  climbing.  He 
lodged  with  Thorbjorn  during  the  autumn,  and  was 
continually  urging  his  host  to  row  him  out  to 
Drangey,  that  he  might  escalade  the  precipitous  sides 
of  the  islet.  Thorbjorn  required  very  little  pressing ; 
and,  one  fine  afternoon,  he  flitted  his  guest  out  to 
the  island,  and  put  him  stealthily  ashore,  without 
attracting  the  notice  of  those  on  the  height. 

On  reaching  the  usual  landing-place,  which  was 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  island,  Thorbjorn  shouted, 
and  brought  Grettir  and  his  brother  to  the  verge  of 
the  cliff.  The  old  arguments  were  repeated,  to  per- 
suade Grettir  to  come  to  the  mainland,  and  with  the 
usual  success.  The  Hook,  however,  succeeded  com- 
pletely in  his  attempt  to  withdraw  the  outlaw's 
attention  from  the  farther  side  of  the  islet,  up  ^  hich 
Hoering  was  clambering. 

The  young  merchant  reached  the  top  by  a  way 
never  attempted  before  nor  since ;  then,  pausing  only 
to  take  breath,  he  advanced  towards  the  brothers, 
who  were  leaning  over  the  verge  of  the  cliff,  little 
dreaming  of  danger  in  their  rear. 

Grettir  was  engaged  in  angry  altercation  with  the 
Hook,  bat  the  young  brother  took  no  part  in  the 
conversation;  and,  beginning  to  feel  weary  of  his 
position,  he  turned  on  one  side  to  relieve  his  elbows, 
which  had  rested  on  the  rock.  In  so  doing,  he 
caught  sight  of  Hoering. 

"  Brother,  brother !  exclaimed  he,  "  here  comes  a 
man  towards  us,  brandishing  an  axe,  and  bent  on 
mischief." 


'i 


nOERING'8  LEAP. 


u 


191 


I 


'(jro  after  him  yourself,  lad  I "  said  Grettir. 
will  guard  the  ladder." 

Illugi  sprang  up,  and  rushed  towards  the  young 
merchant,  who  at  once  took  to  flight,  ran  to  the  edge 
of  the  crag,  leaped  over,  and  was  dashed  to  pieces 
among  the  rocks.  That  spot  is  called  Hoering's 
Leap  to  this  day. 

"Now,  Thorbjorn,"  shouted  Grettir,  when  Illugi 
returned,  and  told  him  what  had  taken  place,  "you 
had  better  row  round  to  the  other  side  of  the  isle, 
aud  gather  up  the  remains  of  your  friend." 

The  Hook  pushed  off  from  the  strand,  and  returned 
home,  ill  enough  pleased  with  what  had  taken  place  ; 
and  Grettir  remained  at  Drangey  unmolested  through 
the  winder. 

Thorbjorn  Hook  was  exasperated  beyond  measure 
at  the  prospect  of  Grettir  slipping  through  his 
fingers  after  all;  and  he  returned  from  the  Thing 
brooding  over  fresh  schemes  against  the  outlaw. 

It  happened  that  he  had  an  old,  feeble  foster- 
mother,  a  woman  of  malicious  disposition ;  and,  when 
Thorbjorn  could  get  help  nowhere  else,  he  came  to 
her,  as  in  her  youth  she  had  dabbled  in  sorcery,  but 
had  long  ceased  to  practise  it,  when,  after  the  intro- 
ducticn  of  Christianity,  it  became  illegal,  and  was 
punishable  with  banishment. 

"  Ah ! "  said  she,  when  Thorbjorn  came  to  her, 
"  I  see  that,  as  a  last  resource,  you  come  to  m(;,  a 
bed-ridden  old  woman,  and  ask  my  help.  Well, 
I  will  assist  you  to  the  best  of  my  power,  on  one 
condition ;  and  that  is,  that  you  yield  me  implicit 
obedience." 


>!  Si' 


i 


fll'iilliitfiBji 


192 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


The  Hook  answered  her  that  he  was  quite  willing 
to  consent,  a^i  he  had  long  since  learned  to  rely  on 
his  foster-mother's  advice  as  being  most  salutary. 

When  the  month  of  August  came  round,  the  hag 
said  to  her  foster-son,  one  beautiful  day,  "  The 
sea  is  calm,  and  the  sky  bright :  what  say  you  to  our 
rowing  over  to  Drtingey,  and  stirring  up  the  old 
quarrel  with  Grettir?  I  will  accompany  you,  and 
listen  to  what  he  says.  I  shall  then  be  able  to  judge 
what  lot  awaits  him ;  besides,  I  can  death-doom  him 
as  I  please." 

The  Hook  answered,  "  I  am  tired  of  going  to 
Drangey,  for  I  never  return  from  it  a  whit  the  bet- 
ter off  than  when  I  started." 

"  Remember  your  promise,"  said  the  old  woman : 
"  I  shall  have  nothing  to  do  with  you  unless  you  fol- 
low my  advice." 

"  Well,  then,  foster-mother,"  quoth  Thorbjorn, 
"  let  us  go,  though  I  vowed  that  my  third  visit  should 
be  the  death  of  Grettir." 

"  Have  patience,"  said  the  hag :  "  time  and  trouble 
are  needed  before  that  man  is  laid  low ;  and,  what 
the  result  will  be,  I  know  not.  It  may  be  to  your 
gain,  and  it  may  be  to  your  ruin." 

Thorbjorn  ran  out  a  long  boat,  and  entered  it  with 
twelve  men.  The  hag  sat  in  the  bows,  coiled  up 
amongst  wraps  and  rugs. 

When  they  reached  the  island,  the  brothers  ran  to 
the  ladder,  and  Thorbjorn  asked  whether  Grettir 
was  yet  tired  of  his  island. 

Grettir  replied  as  he  had  repl'ed  before,  "  Do 
what  you  will :  in  this  spot  I  await  my  destiny." 


^m 


CURSES  OF  THE  HAG. 


193 


Thorbjorn  saw  now  that  hia  journey  was  likely  to 
be  without  avail.  "  I  see,"  said  he,  "  that  I  have  to 
do  wi,  ilie  worst  of  men.  One  thing  is  clear  enough  : 
it  will  be  a  long  time  before  I  pay  you  another  visit." 

"  So  much  the  better,"  answered  Grettir.  "  I  shall 
not  count  it  as  a  misfortune  if  I  never  see  you 
again." 

At  this  moment  the  hag  began  to  stir  in  the  bows 
of  the  boat.  Grettir  had  not  previously  observed 
her  presence.  Now,  with  a  shrill  voice,  she  cried, 
*'  These  men  are  sturdy,  but  luck  has  deserted  them. 
See  what  a  difference  there  is  between  folk.  You, 
Thorbjorn,  make  them  good  offers,  which  they  fool- 
ishly reject.  Those  who  refuse  good  when  it  is 
offered  them,  always  come  to  a  bad  end.  Grettir,  I 
wish  you  to  be  lost  to  health,  wisdom,  luck,  and  pru- 
dence. May  these  blessings  be  constantly  on  the 
wane  the  longer  you  live  !  and  may  your  days  hence- 
forth be  fewer  and  sadder  than  those  preceding 
them ! " 

As  she  spoke,  a  cold  shudder  ran  over  Grettir's 
limbs,  and  he  asked  what  fiend  that  was  in  the  ship. 
Illugi  replied  that  she  must  be  the  foster-mother  of 
Thorbjorn. 

"  Since  an  evil  fiend  is  with  our  foes,  we  can  ex- 
pect nothing  but  the  worst,"  said  Grettir.  "  Never 
before  have  I  been  so  agitated  at  words  spoken,  as 
whikt  the  hag  was  pouring  forth  her  curses  on  us. 
I  know  now  that  evil  must  befall  me  from  her  witch- 
craft, but  she  shall  have  a  reminder  of  her  visit  to 


me. 


»> 


11 


Then  he  snatched  up  a  large  stone,  and  flung  it 

17 


) 


194 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


into  the  boat,  so  that  it  fell  upon  the  bundle  of  ruga 
among  which  lay  the  aged  woman.  As  it  struck, 
there  rose  a  wild  shriek  from  the  witch,  for  the  stone 
had  fallen  on  her  leg,  and  snapped  it  asunder. 

"  Brother,  you  should  not  have  done  this,"  said 
Illugi. 

"  Blame  me  not !  "  answered  Grettir.  "  I  onlj' 
wish  that  the  stone  had  fallen  on  her  skull,  and  that 
her  life  had  been  sacrificed  instead  of  ours." 

On  the  return  of  Thorbjorn  to  the  mainland,  the 
hag  was  put  to  bed ;  and  the  Hook  was  less  pleased 
than  ever  with  his  trip  to  the  island. 

"  Be  not  downcast,"  said  his  foster-mother :  '*  this 
is  the  turning-point  of  Grettir's  fortunes,  and  his 
luck  will  leave  him  more  and  more.  I  have  no  fear 
of  not  having  my  revenge,  should  my  life  be  spared." 

"  You  are  a  resolute  woman,  foster-mother,"  said 
Thorbjorn  Hook. 

After  a  month  the  old  woman  was  able  to  leave 
Ker  bed,  and  limp  across  the  room.  She  one  day 
demanded  to  be  led  down  to  the  shore.  Her  wishes 
were  compUed  with ;  and,  on  reaching  the  strand,  she 
hobbled  up  and  down  till  she  found  a  large  piece  of 
drift-timber,  just  large  enough  for  a  man  to  carry 
upon  his  shoulder. 

Then  she  ordered  it  to  be  rolled  towards  her,  and 
turned  over.  She  examined  it  attentively.  The  log 
seemed  to  have  been  charred  on  one  side,  and  this 
burned  portion  she  ordered  to  be  planed  away  ;  then, 
taking  a  knife,  she  cut  runes  on  it,  and  smeared 
them  with  her  blood,  chanting  over  them,  as  she 
limped  round  the  beam,  a  wild  spell  that  it  might 


^  \M 


THE  CHARMED  LOO. 


195 


be  home  to  Drdngey,  and  there  work  Grettir's  ill. 
The  piece  of  timber  was  then  pushed  into  the  waves, 
and  thrust  off  from  shore.  A  fresh  northerly  wind 
was  blowing  ;  but  the  beam  swam  against  wind  and 
tide,  and  held  on  its  course  direct  for  the  outlaw's 
isle. 

The  old  witch  returned  to  Vithoik.  Thorbjorn 
did  not  think  that  any  thing  would  come  of  what 
she  had  done ;  but  she  bade  him  be  of  good  cheer, 
and  wait  till  she  gave  him  fresh  orders. 

In  the  mean  time  Grettir  his  brother  and  the 
churl,  were  on  Drangey,  catching  fish  and  fowl  for 
their  winter  supplies. 

The  day  after  that  on  which  the  hag  had  charmed 
the  piece  of  timber,  the  two  brothers  were  walking 
on  the  strand  to  the  west  of  the  island,  looking  for 
drift-wood. 

"  Here  is  a  fine  log  I  "  exclaimed  Illugi.  "  Help 
me  to  lift  it  on  my  shoulder,  and  I  will  carry  it 
home." 

Grettir  spurned  the  beam  with  his  foot,  saying,  "  I 
do  not  like  the  looks  of  it,  Kttle  brother.  Runes  are 
cut  on  it,  and  they  may  betide  us  ill :  who  knows 
but  this  log  may  have  been  sent  hither  for  our  de- 
struction?" 

Then  they  sent  it  adrift,  and  Grettir  warned  his 
brother  not  to  bring  it  to  the  fire. 

They  returned  in  the  ev  ^ning  to  their  hovel,  and 
did  not  mention  the  matter  before  the  thrall. 

The  next  day  they  found  the  same  beam  washed 
up  not  far  from  the  foot  of  the  ladder.  Grettir 
thrust  it  out  to  sea  again,  sayiBg  that  he  hoped  he 
bad  seen  the  last  of  it. 


m 


pr 


e«i 


j  5 


i! 


r  i 


h  ■     ,  r. 


I 


M 


J  96 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


The  weather  began  to  break  up,  and  several  days 
of  storm  and  rain  succeeded  each  other,  so  that  tlie 
three  men  remained  indoors  till  their  stock  of  fire- 
wood was  nearly  expended. 

Then  they  ordered  Glaum  to  search  the  shore  for 
fuel.  The  fellow  started  up  with  an  angry  niunnur, 
and  left  the  room  muttering  that  the  weather  was 
too  bad  for  a  dog  to  be  sent  out  in  it.  Then  he  went 
to  the  rope-ladder,  descended  it,  and  found  the  same 
beam  cast  up  at  its  very  foot. 

Rejoiced  at  having  so  soon  obtained  what  he 
wanted,  he  threw  it  over  his  shoulder,  strode  with  it 
to  the  hut,  and  flung  it  down  by  the  door. 

Grettir  heard  the  sound ;  and,  springing  up,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Glaum  has  got  something  at  last !  Let 
us  see  what  he  has  found." 

Then,  taking  his  axe,  he  went  outside. 

"  Now,"  says  Glaum,  "  you  chop  it  up,  as  I  have 
had  all  the  trouble  of  bringing  it." 

Grettir  was  angry  with  the  fellow,  and,  without 
paying  much  attention  to  the  log  itself,  he  brought 
his  axe  down  upon  it  with  a  sweep.  The  blade 
struck,  glided  ofp,  and  cut  into  Grettir's  right  leg 
below  the  knee  with  such  force  that  it  stuck  in  the 
bone'. 

Grettir  looked  at  the  beam,  and,  recognizing  it  at 
once,  said,  "  The  worst  is  at  hand  I  Misfortunes 
never  come  singly.  This  is  the  very  log  which  I  have 
rejected  twice,  Glaum.  You  have  done  us  two  ill 
turns ;  first,  in  letting  out  the  fire,  secondly,  in  bring- 
ing home  this  accursed  beam ;  and,  if  you  commit  a 
third,  it  will  be  thp  death  of  you." 


GRETTIR    WOUNDED. 


197 


Tllugili  Hind  lip  his  brother's  wound  with  a  raj^:  there 
was  but  little  flow  of  blood,  but  it  was  an  ugly  gash. 

Grettir  slept  well  that  night.  For  three  days  and 
nights,  he  was  without  paii.,  and  the  wound  s'^emed 
to  be  healing  nicely,  and  skin  to  be  forming  healthily 
over  it. 

"  Well,  brother,"  said  Illugi,  "  I  think  this^cut 
will  not  trouble  you  long." 

"  I  hope  not,"  answered  Grettir,  "  Jret  I  have  my 
fears." 

On  the  fourth  evening  they  laid  them  down  to 
sleep  as  usual.  Towards  midnight  the  lad  Illugi 
awoke,  hearing  Grettir  tossing  about  in  his  bed,  as 
though  in  pain. 

"  Why  are  you  so  restless?"  he  asked. 

Grettir  replied  that  he  felt  great  anguish  in  his 
leg,  and  that  he  thought  some  slight  change  must 
have  taken  place  in  the  wound. 

The  boy  blew  some  embers  on  the  hearth  into  a 
flame,  and  by  its  light  examined  his  brother's  leg. 
He  found  that  the  foot  was  swollen  and  purple,  and 
that  the  wound  had  re-opened,  and  looked  far  more 
angry  than  when  first  made. 

Intense  pain  followed ;  so  that  the  poor  outlaw 
could  not  remain  quiet  for  one  moment,  and  sleep  no 
more  visited  his  eyes. 

Illugi  remained  by  him,  continually  holding  his 
brother's  hand,  or  bringing  him  water  to  slake  his 
unquenchable  thirst. 

"  We  must  prepare  for  the  worst,"  said  Grettir. 
"  This  sickness  is  the  result  of  sorcery.  The  hag  is 
revenging  on  me  that  stone  which  I  cast  at  her." 

17* 


it,  *•' 


l.i 


i   !, 


198 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


i  ^% 


Illiigi  roplied,  "•  I  ever  thought  evil  would  come  of 
it." 

"  Let  us  be  cautious  now,"  said  Grettir,  "  for 
Thorbjorn  will  make  another  venture.  Glaum,  do 
you  watch  the  steps  by  day,  and  draw  them  up  at 
dusk.  Be  a  faithful  servant  to  us,  for  much  depends 
on  jour  fulfilling  your  duty ;  and  I  forewarn  you, 
that,  if  you  betray  your  trust,  it  will  cost  you  your 
life." 

Glaum  promised  well. 

The  weather  daily  became  worse ;  and  a  fierce 
north-e.ist  wind  blustered  over  the  country,  bearing 
with  it  cold  and  sleet,  and  powdering  the  highlands 
with  snow.  Grettir  asked  nightly  whether  the  lad- 
der had  been  drawn  up.  Glaum  answered  churlish- 
ly, "  How  can  you  expect  people  to  come  out  in 
such  a  storm  as  this  ?  Do  you  think  that  folk  are 
so  anxious  to  kill  you  that  they  will  be  crazy  enough 
to  jeopardize  their  own  lives  in  the  attempt  ?  No,  no  I 
You  have  lost  all  your  pluck  and  manliness  since 
you  have  been  a  little  unwell.  You  are  now  scared 
and  frightened  at  the  merest  trifles." 

Grettir  answered,  "  You  have  none  of  our  pluck 
and  manliness  yourself  I  Go  now,  and  guard  the 
ladder  as  you  have  been  bidden,  instead  of  standing 
here  reproaching  me  with  cowardice  I  " 

So  lUugi  and  his  brother  drove  the  churl  from  the 
house  every  morning  notwithstanding  all  his  angry 
remonstrances. 

The  pain  became  more  acute,  and  the  whole  leg 
became  ''nflamed  and  swollen  ;  signs  of  mortification 
appeared,  and  wounds  opened  in  different  parts  of 


THE  HAG'S  BCIIEMES. 


191 


the  limb,  so  that  Grettir  felt  that  the  shadow  of 
death  was  upon  him.  Illugi  sat  night  and  day  with 
his  brother's  head  on  his  shoulder,  bathing  his  fore- 
head, and  doing  his  utmost  to  console  the  fleeting 
spirit.  A  week  had  elapsed  since  the  wound  had 
been  made. 

Thorbjorn  Hook  was  at  home,  ill  pleased  at  the 
failure  of  all  his  schemes  for  dispossessing  Grettir  of 
the  island.  One  day  his  foster-mother  came  to  him, 
and  asked  whether  he  was  ready  now  to  pay  the  out- 
law his  final  visit.  Thorbjorn  replied  that  he  had  no 
wish  to  do  so,  as  it  would  come  to  nothing ;  and 
asked  his  foster-mother  whether  she  had  any  desire 
to  seek  out  Grettir  again,  or  whether  she  had  been 
satisfied  v/ith  the  success  of  her  former  visit. 

"  I  may  not  ask  him  myself,"  answered  the  hag ; 
"  but  I  have  sent  him  my  greeting,  and  by  this  time 
it  has  reached  him.  Speed  now  to  Drangey  as  swiftly 
as  you  can  row ;  for,  if  you  delay,  he  will  be  beyond 
your  reach." 

The  Hook  had  come  off  so  ignominiously  on  every 
former  occasion  when  he  had  visited  the  island,  that 
he  did  not  much  relish  the  notion  of  making  another 
attempt,  especially  on  a  day  when  it  would  be  dan- 
gerous to  venture  on  the  water  in  a  boat. 

"  You're  a  helpless  fellow  I  "  exclaimed  his  foster- 
"lother,  when  Thorbjorn  told  her  his  objections  to 
ner  scheme.  "  Do  you  think  that  I,  who  have  called 
'ip  this  storm,  cannot  refrain  it  from  doing  you 
njury  ?  " 

Thorbjorn  went  with  his  men  to  Haganess,  where 
',6  borrowed  a  large  sailing-boat.     None  of  them 


t-^ 


200 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


If    I 


%i 


were  in  good  spirits,  as  the  weather  was  so  bad,  and 
they  had  no  conridence  in  their  leader.  By  dusk 
they  got  the  vessel  afloat,  spread  sail,  and,  with  a 
lurch,  she  ran  out  to  sea. 

As  the  wind  was  from  the  north-east,  they  were 
under  the  lee  of  the  high  cliffs,  and  were  not  exposed 
to  the  vdolence  of  the  gale. 

A  line  of  white  foam  marked  the  base  of  Drdngey ; 
and  now  and  then  a  great  wave  from  the  mouth  of 
the  fjord  thundered  against  the  crags,  and  shot  in 
spouts  of  foam  high  into  the  air.  Upon  the  top,  one 
ruddy  spark  shone  from  the  window  of  the  hovel  in 
which  lay  the  dying  outlaw,  and  it  was  reflected  as  a 
streak  of  fire  on  the  tossing  deep. 

Grettir  had  been  in  less  pain  that  day :  lUugi  had 
not  left  him,  but  remained  faithful  to  his  post. 

The  churl  had  been  sent  out  as  usual  to  watch  the 
ladder,  and  draw  it  up  at  nightfall.  But,  instead  of 
doing  as  he  was  bid,  the  fellow  laid  himself  down  at 
the  head  of  the  steps,  in  a  sheltered  nook,  and  went 
to  sleep." 

When  Thorbjorn  and  his  party  reached  the  shore, 
they  found  that  the  ladder  still  hung  down. 

'•We  are  in  luck's  way  I"  exclaimed  the  Hook. 
"  Now,  my  men,  perhaps  you  will  think  that  our 
journey  will  not  prove  as  bootless  as  you  expected. 
Up  the  ladder  with  you  I  and  let  us  all  be  of  good 
courage  I  " 

Then  they  ascended,  one  after  another,  Thorbjorn 
taking  the  lead.  On  reaching  the  top,  they  noticed 
Glaum  asleep  under  a  rock,  snoring  loudly.  Thorb- 
jorn recognized  the  man  at  once,  and  struck  him  ovei 


^ 


GRETTIR  SURPRISED. 


201 


the  shoulders  with  his  sword-hilt,  bidding  him  wake 
up,  fool  that  he  was,  and  tell  them  truly  all  that  he 
knew  about  those  whom  they  sought. 

Glaum  turned  over  on  his  side,  rubbed  his  eyep, 
and  growled  forth,  "  Cannot  you  leave  a  poor  wretch 
alone  ?  assuredly  never  was  man  so  ill-treated  before ; 
you  won't  even  let  me  sleep  out  here  in  the  cold  I  '* 

"  Idiot  I  "  exclaimed  the  Hook ;  "'  look  up,  and  see 
who  are  come  I  We  are  your  foes,  who  purpose  slay- 
ing every  man  of  you." 

Glaum  started  up,,  and  screamed  with  terror  when 
he  saw  the  black  figures  around  him. 

"  Silence  I "  cried  Thorbjorn :  **  I  give  you  your 
choice  of  two  things,  —  answer  the  questions  I  put 
to  you,  or  die  on  the  spot." 

The  churl  was  silenced,  and  stood  trembling  before 
the  Hook,  with  great  drops  of  perspiration  rolling 
off  his  face. 

"  Are  the  brothers  in  the  house  ?  "  asked  Thorb- 
jorn ;  "  or  shall  we  find  them  out  of  doors  ?  " 

"  Oh  I  "  cried  Glaum,  "  they  are  both  within ; 
Grettir  sick  to  death,  and  Ulugi  watching,  and  never 
leaving  him." 

All  that  evening  the  sick  man's  eyes  had  been 
wandering  among  the  rafters,  watching  the  light  play 
among  them,  as  the  firewood  blazed  up,  or  smouldered 
away.  Presently  he  turned  his  head  towards  his 
brother,  saying  that  he  thought  he  could  sleep ;  and 
in  a  few  moments  he  closed  his  eyes. 

lUugi  watched  his  face  kindled  by  the  scarlet  glow 
from  the  embers.  It  was  more  tranquil  than  hz  had 
seen  it  for  many  days ;  the  muscles  were  relaxed  j  and 


m 

m 


^■11 


4' 

1 


H! 


r  h 


if'i 


202 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE 


wrinkles,  furrowed  on  the  brow  by  the  intense  pain 
whicli  the  poor  outlaw  had  suffered,  were  now 
smoothed  quite  away.  Grettir's  face  was  not  hand- 
some, but  it  was  grave  and  earnest,  tanned  dark  by 
continual  exposure  to  the  weather.  His  breath  came 
evenly  in  sleep  ;  one  hand  lay  open,  palm  uppermost, 
on  the  floor ;  the  other  played  with  the  tassel  of  his 
spear,  which  stood  ever  by  his  side.  Suddenly  there 
was  a  crash  at  the  door,  and  the  sleeper  openo.\  his 
eyes  dreamily. 

"It  is  only  the  old  ram,  brother :  he  wants  to 
come  in,"  said  lUugi,  "  and  is  butting  at  the  door." 

*'  He  butts  hard,  he  butts  hard  I  "  muttered  Gret- 
tir,  and  at  that  moment  the  door  burst  open.  They 
saw  faces  looking  in.  lUugi  sprang  to  his  feet, 
grasped  a  sword,  flew  to  the  doorway,  and  defended 
it  valiantly ;  so  that  none  could  come  within  a  spear's 
length  of  it,  for  the  lad  brought  down  his  weapon  on 
their  lances,  and  smote  off  the  heads. 

Then  some  of  the  men  clambered  up  on  the  roof, 
and  began  to  rip  off  its  covering  of  turf.  Grettir 
tried  to  rise  to  his  feet,  but  could  only  stagger  to  his, 
knees.  He  seized  his  spear,  and  drove  it  through  the 
roof,  among  those  who  were  tearing  it  down.  It 
struck  Karr  in  the  breast,  and  pierced  him. 

"  .Be  careful  I  "  cried  the  Hook ;  "  be  careful,  and 
no  harm  can  happen  to  you." 

Then  the  men  pulled  at  the  gable-ends,. heaved  the 
ridge-piece  aside,  and  broke  it  asunder,  so  that  a 
chower  of  rafters  and  turf  fell  into  the  chamber. 

Grettir  drew  his  sword,  and  smote  at  the  men,  as 
they  leaped  upon  him  from  the  wall.    With  one 


DEATH  OF  GRETTIR. 


209 


the 
,t  a 


blow  he  struck  Vikan-,  the  servant  of  Hjalti,  over 
the  left  shoulder,  as  he  was  upon  the  point  of  spring- 
ing down.  The  sword  sliced  through  him,  and  came 
out  below  his  right  arm,  and  the  corpse  dropped 
upon  Grettir.  The  blow  was  so  violent  that  Grettir 
feLl  forward;  and,  before  he  could  raise  himself, 
Thorbjorn  Hook  struck  him  between  the  shoulders, 
and  made  a  fearful  wound. 

Then  cried  Grettir,  "  Bare  is  man's  back  without 
brother  behind  it  I "  and  instantly  Ulugi  threw  his 
shield  over  him,  planted  a  foot  on  either  side  of  him, 
as  lie  lay  on  the  floor,  and  defended  him  gallantly, 
so  that  all  were  amazed  at  his  courage. 

"  Who  showed  you  the  way  to  the  island  ?  "  asked 
Grettir  of  the  Hook. 

"  Christ  showed  us  the  way,"  answered  Thor- 
bjorn. 

"  Nay,  nay  I '*  muttered  Grettir :  "it  was  that 
hag,  your  foster-mother,  who  directed  you  hither !  " 

The  mist  of  death  was  in  his  eyes  :  he  attempted 
to  raise  himself,  but  sank  again  on  the  sheepskins, 
whi'  h  were  now  drenched  in  blood.  No  one  could 
toucii  him,  for  the  brave  lad  warded  off  every  blow 
that  was  aimed  at  his  brother.  Then  the  Hook  or- 
dered his  men  to  form  a  ring  aiound  them,  and  to 
close  in  on  them  with  shields  and  beams.  They  did 
so,  and  Illagi  was  taken  and  bound ;  but  not  till  he 
had  wounded  the  majority  of  his  opponents,  and 
killed  three  of  Thorbjorn's  churls. 

**  You  are  a  brave  fellow  I "  said  the  Hook  ;  "  and 
never  have  I  seen  one  of  your  age  who  fought  so 
weU  I " 


R 


■    i 

i                                    i 

t                : 

. 


II   . 


204 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


i:  ':■  *  a 


M^ 


Then  they  went  up  to  Grettir,  who  lay  in  a  stata 
of  unconsciousness,  without  being  able  to  make  any 
resistance. 

They  dealt  him  many  a  blow,  but  little  blood 
flowed  from  the  wounds.  Wht  i  all  thought  that  he 
was  dead,  Thorbjorn  tried  to  disengage  the  sword 
from  his  cold,  damp  fingers,  saying  that  Grettir  h  -d 
wielded  ic  long  enough. 

But  the  strong  man's  hand  was  clinclicd  around 
the  hand  so  firmly,  that  his  enemy  could  not  free  the 
sword  from  his  grasp. 

Several  of  the  men  came  up,  and  endeavored  to 
unweave  the  fingers,  but  they  were  unable  to  do  so. 
Then  the  Hook  exclaimed,  '*  Why  should  we  spare 
this  vile  outlaw  ?  off  with  his  hand  I  "  and  they  held 
it  down,  whilst  he  hewed  it  from  the  arm,  at  the 
wrist.  Then  the  muscles  of  the  fingers  relaxed ;  and 
the  Hook  was  able  to  loosen  them,  and  possess  him- 
self of  the  sword.  Standing  beside  the  body,  and 
grasping  the  hilt  with  both  hands,  he  smote  at  Gret- 
tir's  head :  the  edge  of  the  blade  was  notched  with 
the  blow.  "  See  I  "  laughed  Thorbjorn :  "  this  mark 
will  be  famous  in  the  history  of  my  sword.  I  shall 
show  the  notch,  and  say,  '  This  was  done  by  Gret- 
tii's  skull  I'"  He  smote  twice  and  thrice  at  Ihe 
outlaw's  neck,  till  the  head  came  off  in  his  hands. 

"  Here  have  I  slain  a  famous  warrior  I "  exclaimed 
Thorbjorn  :  "  this  head  shall  come  with  me  to  land, 
that  I  may  claim  the  price  that  nas  been  set  upon  it, 
and  that  none  may  be  able  to  deny  that  I  slew  the 
redoubted  Grettir." 

The  rest  of  the  party  told  him  to  do  as  he  chose, 


ILLUGT. 


205 


but  they  did  not  think  much  of  his  act ;  for  they  be- 
lieved Grettir  to  have  been  dead  before  Thorbjorn 
smote  at  liis  head,  and  they  suspected  that  he  had 
wrought  his  foe's  «ickness  and  death  by  unhallowed 
means. 

Then  the  Hook  turned  to  Illugi,  saying,  **  It 
would  be  a  pity  that  a  brave  lad  like  you  should  die, 
because  you  have  associated  yourself  with  outlaws 
and  evil-doers  " 

Illugi  answerea,  "  At  Althing  you  shall  be  sum- 
moned to  give  an  account  of  this  cursed  deed,  and 
answer  to  the  charge  of  witchcraft,  which  I  shall 
bring  against  you  if  I  live." 

"  Listen  to  me,  boy,*'  said  the  Hook.  '*  Lay  your 
hand  to  my  hand,  and  take  a  vow  never  to  revenge 
that  which  has  taken  place  to-night,  and  I  will  give 
you  life  ard  liberty." 

"  And  listen  to  me,  Thorbjorn,"  replied  Illugi. 
"If  I  survive,  but  one  thought  shall  occupy  my 
heart,  night  and  day ;  and  that  will  be,  how  I  can 
best  avenge  my  brother.  Now  that  you  know  what 
to  expect  from  me,  choose  whether  I  shall  hve  or 
die." 

Thorbjorn  took  his  companions  aside  to  ask  their 
advice ;  but  they  shrugged  their  shoulders,  and  re- 
plied that,  as  he  had  planned  the  expedition,  he  must 
carry  it  through  as  he  thought  best. 

"  Well,"  exclaimed  the  Hook,  "  I  have  no  fancy 
for  having  the  young  viper  ready  to  sting  me  wher- 
ever I  tread.     So  he  shall  die." 

Now,  when  Illugi  knew  that  they  had  determined 
on  slaying  him,  he  smiled,  and  said,  -^ 

18 


!.:■ 


H 


J:!;*  I 


?% 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


"  You  have  chosen  that  course  which  is  most  to 
my  mind." 

As  the  day  began  to  dawn,  they  led  him  to  the 
east  side  of  the  island,  and  slew  him  there.  It  is 
said  that  they  neither  bound  his  hands  nor  eyes,  and 
that  he  looked  fearlessly  at  them  as  they  smote  him, 
and  neither  winked,  nor  changed  color.  Then  they 
buried  the  brothers  beneath  a  cairn ;  but  they  took 
the  head  of  Grettir,  and  bore  it  with  them  to  land. 

As  they  rowed  home,  the  thrall.  Glaum,  made 
such  outcries  that  they  were  tired  of  his  noise  ;  and 
on  reaching  the  mainland  they  slew  him. 

One  morning  Thorbjorn  Hook  7ode  with  twenty 
men  to  Bjarg,  in  the  Middle  Frith,  with  Grettir's 
head  hanging  at  his  saddle-bow.  On  reaching  the 
house  he  dismounted,  and  stalked  into  the  hall, 
where  Grettir's  mother  was  seated  with  her  servant. 
Thorbjorn  flung  her  son's  head  at  her  feet,  and 
sang,  — 

"  Flitted  I  from  the  island, 
With  me  the  head  of  Grettir  ; 
That  yellow  head,  which  women 
Weep  ;  with  it  I  am  standing. 
Look  you  1  the  peace-destroyer's 
Head  lycth  on  the  pavement ; 
Look  you  !  it  cannot  moulder 
Now  that  it  well  is  salted. " 

The  lady  sat  proudly  in  her  seat,  and  did  not  shed 
a  tear ;  but,  lifting  lier  voice  in  reply,  she  sang,  — 

"  Milksop  1  no  less  than  sheep 
Flee  before  the  fox, 
Would  you  have  fled  before* 
Grettir  strong  and  hale  I " 


THE  OLD  SAGAS. 


207 


After  this  the  Hook  returned  home  y  and  folk  won- 
dered at  Asdisa,  saying  that  none  but  she  could  have 
borne  such  sons  as  those  twain  who  slept  in  Drdngey. 

East  of  Dr4ngey,  across  the  northern  borders  of 
Iceland,  are  some  of  the  finest  valleys,  farms,  and 
scenery  on  the  island.  Vatnsdalr  (pronounced  Vatz- 
dalur)^  Water-dale,  the  home  of  lugimund  the  Old, 
Hof,  the  scene  of  the  Vatnsdaela  Saga  about  'the 
hateful  Hrolleifr  (Hrodlayver),  and  Oxnadals  Heithi, 
with  its  Alpine  heights  and  glens,  and  its  crater- 
chasms  of  bewildering  magnificence,  lie  along  that 
coast-line  to  thundering  Detifoss,  elsewhere  briefly 
described.  But  from  these,  some  of  them  memorable 
on  account  of  their  tragical  Sagas,  we  pass  now  to 
the  second  crisis  in  the  general  history  of  Iceland ;  a 
transition  which  in  the  life  of  any  nation  is  always 
far-reaching  in  its  results. 


■  km 


■I 


« 

•|8^l! 

). 

/       :: 

f.'^HHBIIB^H 

CHAPTER  XXI. 


riie  Christian  Era  in  Iceland.  —The  Gathering?  at  Thingv&lla.  -'Th# 
High  Debate.  —  The  Thunder  of  a  Convulsion.  —  The  Great  De- 
cision. — Grolden  Age.  —  Skalds.  —  An  loelandic  Skald  at  Cat.ute's 
Court.  —Written  Constitution.  — A  Challenge.  —  Nithing. 

IT  is  a  summer  day  of  year  1000,  and  Iceland  was 
never  so  deeply  moved  through  all  its  borders  as 
now.  A.  throng,  larger  than  ever  gathered  before  in 
Thingvalla,  is  defiling  into  it  on  this  calm  afternoon. 
Down  the  precipitous  entrance  of  the  Almanne-Gja, 
and  the  causeway  of  the  Rafne,  the  processions 
emerge  into  the  grand  audience-room  built  by  fire. 
The  chiefs  with  their  attendants,  and  the  wealthy 
landholders  on  their  richly  caparisoned  horses,  suc- 
ceed each  other.  On  horseback  and  afoot,  the  poorer 
classes  pour  into  the  broad  valley.  Tents  and  booths 
rapidly  go  up  on  the  patches  of  grass,  and  on  the 
dark  stone  floor.  The  scene  is  impressive  and  ani- 
mated. An  anticipated  debate  possesses  interest 
reaching  far  beyond  the  duration  of  the  munition  of 
rocks  around  the  excited  throng. 

The  leading  men  of  the  nation  cross  the  narrow 
bridge  which  leads  into  the  enclosure  of  legislation. 
The  assembly  is  formally  opened,  amid  the  stillness 
and  grandeur  of  Jehovah's  temple,  where  an  issue  ia 
to  be  made  between  his  claims  and  Odin's. 

208 


w 


CHRISTIAN  CONVERTS. 


209 


Among  the  people,  some  had  never  renounced 
Thor,  the  principal  god  of  the  north,  bofore  Odin 
supplanted  him  from  the  East ;  others  had  abandoned 
idols  altogether ;  and  each  household  had  pretty 
much  its  own  way,  in  forms  of  worship. 

Ingolf  s  grandson,  Thorkill,  when  he  felt  death 
was  near,  desired  to  be  carried  into  the  open  air, 
where  the  cheerful  light  might  gladden  his  eyes 
while  looking  their  last  upon  the  loved  mountain- 
tops,  and  there  commend  his  spirit  to  Him  who 
created  them,  and,  high  above  them,  the  sun,  moon, 
and  stars. 

In  their  voyages  to  England  and  Denmark,  Ice- 
landers had  seen  and  accepted  Christian  rites,  as 
then  observed;  but  like  the  idolatrous  Hebrews 
three  thousand  years  before,  who  mixed  their  devo- 
tions so  absurdly,  upon  their  return  home  they  wor- 
shipped again  Odin  or  Thor. 

The  latter  part  of  the  tenth  century,  Thorwald,  a 
bold  sea-rover,  "  who  had  been  baptized  on  the  banks 
of  the  Elbe  by  a  German  priest,"  brought  him  to 
Iceland,  the  first  missionary  from  the  continent. 
This  was  under  the  presidency  of  Thorkel  Maiini. 

The  stranger  had  some  success,  and  was  followed, 
a  few  years  later,  by  priests  from  Norway. 

They  were  sent  cut  by  King  Olaf,  who  was  zealous 
in  the  propagation  of  the  faith  among  the  colonies 
from  his  realm. 

Among  them  were  two  Icelandic  converts,  who 
had  been  compelled  to  go  abroad,  on  accoimt  of 
their  active  part  in  the  introduction  of  the  new  re- 
ligion. 

18» 


I  ' 


I  If 


II 


m 

Hi, 


i 


h  ■  I  : 
It  -  i 


hi 


i 


210 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


But  an  ancient  idolatry  would  not  easily  die, 
resisting  instinctively  all  attacks  upon  its  life. 

To  appease  the  gods,  its  devotees  determined  to 
offer  to  them  two  human  sacrifices  from  each  of  the 
four  quarters  of  Iceland.  It  is  related  that  the  mis- 
sionaries,- to  display  as  great  a  zeal,  decided  to  seal 
their  own  faith  with  the  blood  of  four  martyrs. 

Thorgeir,  the  Logosmodr,  appealed  to  both  parties 
to  stop  on  the  edge  of  civil  war,  before  they  wrought 
destruction  and  ruin. 

The  stirring  address  produced  conviction,  which 
ripened  into  a  truce  ;  and  they  returned  to  their 
places  in  the  Althing,  to  submit  their  cause  to  the 
great  assembly. 

In  the  midst  of  the  high  debate,  a  messenger 
enters  Thingvalla  with  the  tidings  of  a  volcanic 
eruption  near,  whose  thunders  shake  the  earth. 

"  Behold  I  the  gods  are  angry  because  we  question 
their  power  and  right  to  our  homage  ! "  excl  'ms  a 
worshipper  of  Odin.  He  pauses,  and  Snorre  Gode 
hurls  back  the  charge,  by  asking,  "  What  excited 
their  wrath  when  these  rocks  of  lava,  which  we 
ourselves  tread,  were  a  glowing  torrent?"  The 
splendid .  retort,  with  the  appeal  which  followed, 
thrilled  the  assembly,  and  turned  the  tide  of  feeling 
decisively  towards  the  altars  of  a  Christian,  although, 
through  human  traditions,  a  superstitious  devotion. 
The  doom  of  a  pure  idolatry  was  sealed  from  that 
hour ;  the  temples  of  Odin  and  of  Thor  crumbled 
before  the  hands  that  reared  them ;.  and  the  Bible  and 
prayer-book  supplanted  their  ancient  mythology. 

Public  idol-worship  was  forbidden,  on  penalty  of 


THE   GOLDEN  AGE. 


911 


banishment ;  but  Kberty  in  privato  worship  per- 
mitted, and  the  continued  eating  of  hoi*se-flesh,  and 
the  exposure  of  infants.  These  "innocents  "  were 
left  to  die,  to  prevent  an  increase  of  population  be- 
yond the  means  of  subsistence.  But  both  practices 
gradually  disappeared.  Duels,  protected  hy  the  laws 
of  the  wild  vikings  of  early  years,  who  decided 
disputes  with  the  sword,  alone  on  some  solitary  is- 
land, could  not  bear  the  light  of  even  a  corrupted 
Christianity,  and  were  also  abolished. 

The  centuries  following  the  introduction  of  Chris- 
tianity were  the  golde»i  age  of  the  republic.  Under 
the  protection  of  its  patriarchal-republican  form  of 
government,  the  people  studiously  cultivated  their 
native  dialect,  and  collected  the  literary  fragments 
of  their  ancestors.  Unlike  other  European  nations, 
whose  literature,  at  the  dawn  of  it,  was  a  servile 
imitation  of  the  Roman  and  Greek  classics,  the  Ice- 
landers, with  a  singular  independence  of  intellectual 
character,  created  one  of  their  own.  They  gave  the 
world  an  original  literature,  before  the  more  favored 
south  in  material  resources,  had  commenced  the 
revival  of  learning. 

Of  this,  the  golden  age  of  Icelandic  history,  Adam 
of  Bremen  speaks  as  follows :  "  Thus  spending 
in  simplicity  a  holy  life,  since  they  seek  for  nothing 
beyond  what  nature  yields,  the  Icelanders  can  cheer- 
fully say  with  the  apostle, '  Having  food  and  raiment, 
let  us  be  therewith  content.'  For  they  have  their 
mountains  for  towns,  and  springs  for  delights.  Happy, 
I  say,  tho  race  whose  poverty  no  one  envies ;  and 
h'^-'jiest  in  this,  that  they  have  now  all  received 


''  y'v 

-'B 

'  % 

iiM 

-f 

I, 

'B 

i 

'■ 

2n 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m. 


* 


1 


3    i 


Cliristianity.  There  are  many  remarkable  points 
among  the.r  customs,  especially  charity ;  from  which 
it  comes,  that,  with  them,  all  things  are  common  both 
to  strangers  as  well  as  to  natives.  For  a  king  they 
have  their  bishop,  and  to  his  nod  all  the  people  at- 
tend :  whatever  he  has  laid  down,  whether  from  God 
or  from  Scripture,  or  from  the  customs  of  other  na- 
tions, that  they  have  for  law." 

Like  the  baids  of  classic  story,  the  skalds,  or  poets, 
of  Iceland,  were  its  best  historians.  Travelling 
minstrels,  ihey  visited  other  countries,  weaving  into 
their  strains  the  myths,  traditions,  and  real  history 
of  their  own  and  kindred  nations.  They  became  the 
ambassadors  of  the  age,  and  were  honored  in  palaces, 
like  the  laureates  of  a  later  period.  One  of  these 
saved  his  life,  while  imprisoned  in  England,  by  his 
song  of  twenty  strophes,  or  stanzas,  in  praise  of  the 
tyrant  into  whose  power  he  fell.  Another  from 
Iceland,  Snorro  relates,  kept  at  the  court  of  Canute, 
composed  a  poem  in  honor  of  the  king,  and  went  to 
his  banqueting-hall  to  recite  it ;  offering,  as  an 
apology  for  his  apparent  haste  to  be  heard,  that 
it  was  *'  ^^ri'A  short."  The  monarch  fixed  upon  him 
his  falcon  eye,  and  sternly  said,  "  Are  you  not 
ashamed  to  do  what  none  but  yourself  has  dared,  — 
to  write  a  short  poem  upon  me  ?  Unless,  by  the  hour 
of  dinner  to-morrow,  you  produce  thirty  strophes, 
your  life  shall  pay  the  penalty." 

The  skald  was  equal  to  the  occasion  ;  and  next  day, 
instead  of  the  executioner's  blade,  he  received  thirty 
marks  of  silver.  These  incidents  show  us  the  world's 
loss  of  numberless  "  flowers  of  poetry,  which  sprang 
up  and  bloomed  amidst  eternal  snows." 


A    WRITTEN  CONSTITUTION. 


218 


day, 


There  were  female  skjildn,  as  there  were  warriora, 
who  made  no  mean  fijifure  in  the  vindication  of  (he 
riglit,  re-asserted  nowadays,  to  cope  with  the  "  lorda 
of  creation,"  in  every  fiehl  of  action. 

A  verj  strong  reason,  and  easily  understood,  why 
the  skalds  adhered  more  closely  to  actual  history 
than  poets  of  the  south,  is  found  in  their  having  the 
whole  field  to  themselves.  In  the  warmer  climes, 
the  priesthood  wero  the  chroniclers,  and  the  minstrels 
had  to  depend  mainly  upon  creations  of  the  imagina- 
tion for  their  themes.  According  to  an  ancient  MS., 
Iceland's  poets,  long  ago,  numbered  two  hundred  and 
thirty,  many  of  them  honored  at  foreign  courts. 

Two  centuries  and  a  half,  Ulfljot's  form  of  govern- 
ment was  perpetuated  only  by  tradition.  Annually 
Thing  valla  echoed  to  the  repetition  of  it  by  the 
Logeosamadr,  from  the  Hill  of  Laws.  This  gives 
peculiar  interest  to  the  republic,  the  preservation  of 
so  great  a  degree  of  constitutional  freedom  for  centu- 
ries, without  a  word  of  it  printed  or  written. 

There  is  nothing  like  it  in  the  annals  of  the  past ; 
and,  whatever  defects  there  were,  it  was  the  best 
thing  liberty-loving  and  gifted  men  had  given  to  tlie 
world.  So  loyal  were  the  people,  that  the  number 
of  years  each  chief  magistrate  held  the  high  office 
became  a  distinct  epoch ;  and  its  anniversary  quite  as 
important,  in  their  estimation,  as  to  us  is  the  recur- 
rence of  the  presidential  election. 

It  was  not  till  1117,  under  Beigthor  Rafin,  who 
summoned  to  his  aid  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  tune 
in  its  preparation,  that  Iceland  had  a  wiitten  consti- 
tution. 


I: 


214 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


Early  in  the  twelfth  century,  the  most  learned 
men  began  to  collect  and  write  the  poems  and  tradi 
tions  which  had  come  down  from  human  lips  alone, 
in  their  own  unconupted  dialect.  This  is  a  strange 
and  extraordinary  thing ;  adhering  exclusively  to 
their  own  vernacular,  while  as  a  written,  then  a 
spoken  language,  it  was  fading  out  in  those  kingdoms 
from  which  it  had  been  transplanted. 

What  glory  for  that  sea-girdled,  far-away  country, 
to  give  to  Europe  the  first  national  literature,  under 
the  earliest  government  which  could  be  justly  called 
republican  !  The  Icelander's  very  weapons  of  com- 
bat were  oftener  his  fertile  brain,  than  his  sword  or 
lance  or  battle-axe. 

The  lampoon  of  the  skald,  or  poet,  and  the  bitter 
sarcasm,  were  more  dreaded  than  weapons  of  steel, 
by  the  object  of  hate. 

And,  even  when  an  injured  party  wanted  to  fight, 
he  would  publicly  brand  his  foe  "  nithing,"  or  a  vil- 
lain. Thus  disgraced,  he  must  wash  out  the  stain 
with  blood.  A  little  story  will  show  how  they  man- 
aged this  matter.  Two  old  warriors  sent  a  challenge 
to  two  others,  to  meet  them  at  a  place  and  time  des- 
ignated. The  day  came  amid  one  of  those  terrific 
storms  that  sometimes  lift  pedestrians  from  their  feet. 
But  Jokull,  one  of  the  challenged,  was  on  the  spot 
at  the  hour  with  nobody  to  fight  him.  He  had,  how- 
ever, Ids  revenge  upon  Finbogi,  his  enemy.  He  took 
a  block  of  wood,  shaped  it  into  the  resemblance  of  a 
human  head,  wrote  on  it  runic  letters,  and,  after  kill- 
ing a  horse,  opened  the  animal's  breast,  and  fastened 
it  in  the  wound,  pointing  towards  the  home  of  Fin- 


Jii,.!    '.ill 


<■'  ■  '' 


THE  NITHINO-POST. 


215 


bogi.  This  was  the  "  nithing-post,"  to  which  the 
duellist  resorted,  to  make  his  ar  v^ersary  own  himself 
a  coward,  or  seek  a  deadly  meeting.  The  moral  de- 
scendant of  the  heathen  gentleman  has  only  ehantj^ed 
the  battle-axe  to  pistols,  and  the  "  nithing-post "  to 
"The  Morning  Post,"  or  some  other  journal  of  a 
higher  civilization. 


lan- 
mge 
des- 
frlfic 
I  feet, 
spot 

lOW- 

Itook 
of  a 
kill- 
jned 
Fin- 


m 


i  I'     i' 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


fil   il 


if  iW 


■  'M 


The  Northmen's  Oldest  Book  of  History.  —  Qenius  in  Iceland.  — The 
IllustTious  Trio.  —First  Printing-Press.  —First  School.  —Bill  of 
Students'  Fare.  —Study  of  Poetry.  —  Its  Fabled  Origin. 

SIXTY-SEVEN  years  after  the  nati  rra'  uncil, 
and  its  great  decision  at  Thingvalla,  under  the 
shadow  of  lofty  jokuUs  near  the  Great  Geyser,  was 
born  Ari  the  Wise. 

Of  hit  early  life  we  know  nothing  further,  nor 
where  he  is  buried.  His  monument  is  the  North- 
men's most  ancient  book  of  history,  —  the  Land- 
nama-Bok,  or  general  annals  of  Iceland  from  its 
settlement,  giving  a  full  account  of  its  real-estate 
operations. 

Saemund  the  Learned,  who  was  born  in  1056,  .yd 
studied  theology  in  Germany  and  France,  first^^  I- 
lected  and  published  in  a  volume  the  mythologies ' 
songs  he  found  in  manuscripts,  and  heard  from  the 
lips  of  minstrel  skalds.  He  added  some  of  his  own 
compositions,  which  have  in  them  the  leaven  of  that 
Christianity  for  which  he  had  renounced  the  heathen- 
ism of  his  fathers.  This  was  the  poetic,  or  Elder 
Edda,  from  which  the  extracts  on  Scandinavian 
paganism  were  taken. 

But  the  last  of  the  grand  trio  of  Iceland's  earliest 
authors  is  Snorro  Stuiieson.     His  illustrious  ances 

S16 


T^ 


8N0RR0  8TURLES0N 


217 


ild 


tors  went  back  to  the  fabled  dynasties  of  Norway's 
royalty. 

South  from  Reykjavik  an  hour's  ride  is  Bessestad. 
The  path  is  paved,  as  everywhere,  with  lava,  the 
yawning  chasms  bridged  with  rock,  and  the  gleam- 
ing summits  leaning  against  the  transparent  sky. 
Bessestad  was  the  most  ancient  seat  of  learning  in 
Iceland.  What  utter  seclusion  I  Before  it  is  spread 
an  oasis  of  grass,  and  behind  it  bleak  moorland,  and 
the  ever-moaning  sea.  Near  it  is  a  solid  and  gigan- 
tic mound  of  upheaved  lava-rock,  making  a  near 
horizon,  with  its  unchanging  curve  of  iron. 

For  no  green  thing  ever  adorns  it.  or  flower  smiles 
upon  the  desolation.  You  are  alone  with  memories 
of  the  ages,  with  Nature,  and  Nature's  God.  Here 
lived.  Snorro  Sturleson. 

This  is  the  man  '^o  whom  his  country's  history  and 
literature  are  most  indebted ;  whose  great  historical 
work  justly  earned  for  him  the  title  of  the  Northern 
Herodotus. 

He  was  born  in  the  year  1178,  at  Hvam,  on  the 
Hvamsfjord,  a  small  bay  on  the  western  coast  of  Ice- 
land. 

His  father,  Sturle,  was  a  distinguished  chieftain  in 
that  part  of  the  island;  and  his  mother  was  con- 
nected, as  well,  with  the  most  illustrious  families  of 
the  island. 

At  the  early  age  of  three  years,  Snorro  was  placed 
under  the  guardianship  of  Jen  Loftson,  who  in- 
herited both  the  wealth  and  learning  of  his  grand- 
fr.ther,  Saemund  Sigfusson. 

Here  young  Snorro  remained  till  twenty  years  of 

19 


/ 


!     ' 


If   ;^ 


It-'- 


f!  > 


I  M 


i  <l 


■m 


218 


r/Zi?  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


age,  and  received  a  jfinished  education,  both  in  the 
Greek  and  Roman  literature,  and  in  that  of  his  native 
country. 

*'  Having  access  to  all  the  manuscript  and  other  col- 
lections of  Saemund  and  Ari  Frode,  relating  to  the 
poetry,  history,  and  mythology  of  the  heathen  north, 
he  was  placed  at  what  might  be  called,  in  their  own 
poetical  language,  the  fountain  of  Mfmir,  the  source 
of  inspiration,  where  he  might  exclaim,  — 

'  I  sat  and  was  silent, 
I  saw  and  reCected, 
I  listened  to  that  which  was  told.' 


wn 


iM 


"  On  the  death  of  his  tutor,  Snorro  left  Odd^,  and 
married  the  daughter  of  a  rich  priest  at  Borg,  on  the 
Borgafiord,  where  he  increased  his  small  patrimonial 
inheritance  with  a  fortune  of  four  thousand  rix  dol- 
lars, a  large  sum  for  that  age  and  country." 

By  the  death  of  his  father,  he  added  to  his  fortune 
Borg,  Reykholt,  and  other  valuable  estates ;  thus 
becoming,  in  a  short  time,  by  far  the  richest  man  on 
the  island. 

His  immense  wealth  and  genius,  address  a-id  elo- 
quence, gave  him  corresponding  power  and  influence 
in  the  community. 

He  occasionally  appeared  in  the  Althing,  or  gen- 
eral national  assembly,  with  a  retinue  of  several 
hundred  armed  followers. 

He  made  impregnable,  by  fortifications,  his  subse- 
quent residence  on  the  farm  of  Reykholt,  in  the 
midst  of  the  wonderful  volcanic  region  of  the  south- 
west coast.     This  place  he  also  improved,  and  embel- 


BNOJtRO  STURLESON. 


210 


lished  with  useful  and  ornamental  works,  of  which 
one  only,  the  celebrated  Snorre-laug  (Snorre-bath), 
remains,  after  the  lapse  of  six  centuries,  a  proud 
monument  of  his  ingenuity  and  munificence.  The  hot 
water  for  this  bath  is  supplied  from  a  natural  fountain 
of  boiling  water,  five  hundred  feet  to  the  no^th,  in  a 
morass  undermined  by  subterranean  fires,  where  are 
many  boiUng  springs.  It  is  conveyed  by  means  of 
an  aqueduct  of  hewn  stones,  perfectly  fitted  to- 
gether, and  joined  by  a  fine  cement.  The  bath  is 
circular  in  form,  about  fifteen  feet  in  diameter,  aftd 
built  of  hewn  stones,  cemented  together  in  the  same 
exact  manner.  The  floor  is  paved  with  the  kind  of 
stone  which  composes  the  aqueduct,  and  a  circular 
stone  bench,  capable  of  holding  upwards  of  thirty 
persons,  surrounds  the  inside  of  the  bath. 

Snorro  was  raised,  in  the  year  1215,  by  the  free 
choice  of  the  people,  to  the  position  of  chief  magis- 
trate of  the  island;  in  which  post  he  was  distin- 
guished for  his  profound  knowledge  of  the  laws  and 
civil  institutions  of  his  native  country. 

He  visited  Norway,  where  he  was  most  honorably 
received  by  the  Norwegian  Jarls.  The  warmth  of 
his  reception  was  doubtless  owing  to  the  favor  with 
which  a  eulogistic  lay  upon  Hakon  Galen,  a  Jarl  of 
Norway,  had  been  received  in  his  own  country,  as 
well  as  by  Hakon  himself,  to  whom  a  copy  was  sent. 

He  composed  several  eulogies  on  the  king  and 
nobles  of  Norway,  which  procurred  him  many  rich 
and  costly  gifts  from  the  flattered  personages,  also 
the  title  of  Drdttseti,  or  court  marshal,  with  the  rank 
of  Lenderman^  oi  loyal  vassal ;  which  last  was  con- 


I    h 


220 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


!    ■ 


ty- '  \i 


f      : 


ferred  in  order  to  promote  the  designs  which  the 
Norwegians  had  conceived  against  the  independence 
of  Iceland. 

After  SnorroV  return  to  his  native  country,  he 
was  involved  in  a  labyrinth  of  deadly  feuds,  some 
of  which  he  had  inherited  from  his  ancestors,  and 
others  had  been  kindled  by  his  own  turbulence, 
ambition,  and  avarice. 

Scenes  of  ferocious  violence  followed,  during 
which  the  republic  was  rent  with  contending  fac- 
tions ;  though  that  of  Snorro,  through  the  zeal  and 
fidelity  of  his  partisans,  frequently  gained  the  as- 
cendency, thus  enabling  him  to  gratify  his  lofty 
ambition.  The  hatred  of  his  enemies  at  length 
forced  him  to  take  refuge  in  Norway.  There  he  was 
loaded  with  honors  and  favors ;  but,  upon  receiving 
favorable  intelligence  from  Iceland,  he  obtained  per- 
mission to  return  to  his  native  country.  As  he  was 
on  the  point  of  embarking,  he  received  letters  from 
the  king,  positively  forbidding  his  departure.  This 
prohibition  he  disregarded,  and  arrived  safely  in  Ice- 
land. Here  he  was  again  involved  in  fierce  contro- 
versies, and  shortly  afterwards  fell  a  victim  to  the 
deadly  hatred  of  his  enemies.  King  Hakon  had 
sent  secret  instructions  to  Thorvaldsen,  a  relative  of 
the  king,  who  had  formerly  been  Snorro*s  son-in-law 
and  intimate  friend,  to  seize  on  his  person,  and  bring 
him  to  Norway,  or  to  put  him  to  death. 

The  latter  alternative  was  preferred  by  Thorvald- 
son,  wh  J  was  lured  by  revenge,  and  the  great  wealth 
of  Snorro,  to  assassinate  him.  It  is  remarkable,  that, 
though  Snorro  was  admonished  by  a  letter,  written 


DEATH  OF  8N0RR0. 


221 


In  runic  characters,  of  his  dunger,  that  neither  he, 
who  was  deeply  versed  in  this  lore,  nor  any  of  his 
friends,  could  decipher  this  letter. 

Thorvaldsen  collected  a  hand  of  armed  men  from 
a  clan  hostile  to  Snorro,  and  basely  murdered  him  at 
Reikholt,  on  the  night  of  the  22d  of  September,  1241. 

Thus  perished,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years, 
Snorro  Sturleson,  illustrious  bv  his  birth,  his  talents, 
and  attainments ;  but,  accorcLuig  to  the  concurrent 
testimony  of  his  contemporaries,  stained  with  un- 
principled ambition,  avarice,  faithlessness,  and  every 
other  vice  that  dishonors  and  degrades  human  nature. 

The  bald-monks  in  convents  had  locked  up  only  a 
few  works  in  "  poor  Latin,"  when  Snorro  gave  to 
Iceland  and  the  Continent  the  flowing  sentences  of 
his  fascinating  annals.  But  his  greatest  work  was 
the  Younger  Edda,  which  contains  the  whole  system 
of  mythology. 

He  reminds  us  of  Lord  Bacon  in  the  possession  of 
rarest  abilities  and  attainments,  yet  poisoned  with  a 
selfish  ambition,  which  led  to  a  tragical  death,  and 
left  his  splendid  genius  and  attainments  under  its 
enduring  eclipse. 

About  the  title  Edda,  there  is  some  dispute  among 
the  learned ;  the  prevailing  opinion  being,  that  it  is 
figurative  in  its  use,  from  the  old  Norse,  which  means 
great-grandmother. 

The  Edda,  then,  is  the  venerable  mother  of  Ice- 
landic literature.  The  Elder  Edda  is  a  collection  of 
thirty-nine  poems,  principally  upon  the  mythology 
of  the  Northmen.  The  oldest  and  most  interesting 
of  these  is  the  "  Song  of  the  Prophetess ; "  of  which, 

19* 


i 


f!  " 


\   5 


^ 


222 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


in  the  chapter  on  the  gods  and  worship  of  the  sea- 
rovers,  a  good  illustration  was  given. 

The  period  of  the  old  literature  ended  about  the 
era  of  the  Reformation,  from  which  dates  the  mod- 
ern. For  more  than  a  century  succeeding  A.  D. 
1400,  scarcely  any  thing  in  prose  appeared. 

The  very  first  specimen  of  modern  Icelandic  liter- 
ature w^as  the  translation  of  the  New  Testament, 
A.  D.  1540,  followed  by  Hymcs  and  Psalms,  and 
then  the  entire  Bible.  With  the  closing  century,  a 
fresh  historical  literature  dawned  brightly  upon  the 
island. 

In  poetry,  the  first  creation,  and  the  "  flower  of  Ice- 
landic poetry,  was  the  Passiu-Salmar,  or  fifty 
Passion  Hymns,  by  Hallgrim  Peturson,  who  was  born 
in  1614,  and  died  1674."  Thirty  editions  have  been 
printed.  The  Hola-bok  of  the  people  was  the 
Hymn  P^ok  of  the  Reformation.  Eight  popular 
poets  followed  at  intervals ;  the  last  of  whom,  Sig- 
urd Breidfjbrd,  died  in  1846.  Of  living  poets,  we 
shall  have  beautiful  effusions  in  the  closing  chapter 
on  the  Great  Millennial  Jubilee.  Hannes  Finnsson 
in  1794-6  published,  in  two  volumes,  a  work  for 
children,  with  the  title  of  Kvoldvokur,  or  Wakeful 
Evenings. 

During  these  centuries  of  Iceland's  prosperity, 
flocks  and  herds  increased,  fisheries  prospered,  and 
ships  laden  with  wadmal  (a  coarse  cloth),  furs,  skins, 
oil,  tallow,  fish,  and  eider-down,  were  sent  to  Eng- 
land and  Norway,  bringing  back  meal,  timber,  steel, 
fine  cloths,  and  carpets. 

Icelandic  tourists  visited  the  capitals  of  distant 


}tant 


SCHOOLS. 


223 


kingdoms,  sometimes  extending  their  travels  to  Con- 
stantinople and  Palestine.  They  were  "  lionized  " 
on  their  return,  and  were  central  fignres  in  all  social 
gatherings,  rehearsing  to  eager  listeners  the  story  of 
their  adventures. 

Among  the  volcanic  ruins  of  Iceland,  during  its 
greatest  prosperity,  nearly  one  hundred  thousand 
people,  it  is  supposed,  were  living ;  with  more  than 
half  a  million  of  sheep,  fifty  thousand  horses,  and 
nearly  as  many  oxen.  Now,  probably,  not  over  two- 
thirds  of  these  numbers  are  upon  the  island. 

An  old  galley,  in  the  summer  of  1530,  bore  the  first 
printing-press  to  Iceland,  introduced  by  the  Bishop 
of  Holar,  on  the  northern  border  of  the  island. 
The  types  were  of  wood,  and  rude  enough,  —  an  awk- 
ward machine  for  making  thought  visible  ;  but  it  was 
the  dawn  of  the  power  of  the  press,  upon  that  land 
so  worthy  of  its  rising  glory.  This  bishop  a  score 
of  years  later,  with  his  son,  were  beheaded  for  crimes 
attending  violent  opposition  to  the  Reformation. 
This  form  of  execution  became  the  legal  one,  but 
has  for  a  long  time  ceased  to  be  employed,  because  no 
one  could  be  found  on  the  island  to  accept  the  office 
of  executioner.  The  successor*  of  Arason,  a  man 
of  great  culture,  purchased  new  presses,  and  made 
others  with  his  own  hands  from  these  models. 

Iceland,  therefore,  has  the  additional  honor  of 
manufacturing  one  of  the  first  presses  in  Northern 
Europe,  and  the  very  first  by  consecrated  hands. 

Iceland's  earliest  Christian  school  for  classical  cul- 
ture is  said  to  have  been  Haudkadir,  near  the  Great 

Geyser,  where  Saemund  studied,  who  afterwards  es- 
♦  The  gifted  Gudbraud  Thorlakson. 


m 


TTi 


224 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


tt|: 


tablished  a  similar  institution  at  Oddi.  To  this  last 
fact  some  trace  the  name  of  Edda.  Bishop  Isleif 
opened  the  third  at  Skalholt  in  1105.  This  group 
of  cottages  has  figured  on  the  maps  as  the  capital  of 
Iceland.  There  was  another  school  established  at 
Holar,  in  connection  with  its  cathedral.  Next  Reyk- 
javik became  the  seat  of  learning,  which  was 
transferred  to  Bessestad,  and  finally  removed  to  the 
capital,  where  it  now  r:  mains. 

Without  describing  the  narrow,  close  commons  for 
the  young  men,  we  copy  only  two  days'  bill  of  fare  ; 
enough  to  prove  conclusively  that  they  were  not 
hindt^red  in  their  studies  by  excessive  indulgence  in 
the  good  things  of  the  table. 

On  Sunday  morning,  before  the  students  went  to 
church,  they  had  a  light  lunch,  as  an  exception  to 
the  usual  two  meals  per  day.  The  diet  doubtless  has 
not  very  much  changed.  At  mid-day :  first  course, 
stock-fish  and  butter ;  second  course,  meat-broth, 
but,  if  this  cannot  be  had,  peas  with  meat.  In  the 
evening  (which  in  winter  is  several  hours  after  dark) : 
first,  stock-fish  and  butter;  second,  barley-water 
grout,  with  milk  and  butter.  Saturday,  mid-day: 
stock-fish  and  butter;  warm  sausages.  Evening: 
stock-fish  and  butter  ;  curd  with  milk. 

The  study  of  poetry,  the  youth  were  required  to 
pursue ,  however  prosy  their  own  mental  taste.  The 
theory^  if  not  the  practice,  of  the  divine  art,  must  be 
mastered. 

Very  singular  is  the  mythological  origin  of  this 
gift !  Two  warrior-gods  made  treaty  by  spitting  into 
a  common  receptacle,  and  its  contents  formed  the 


THE   GIFT  OF  THE   GODS. 


225 


to 
I  The 
^tbe 


the  wisest  of  men.  He  was  slain  by  two  dwarfs,  who 
from  his  blood,  and  honey,  created  the  divine  elixir. 
This  Odin  got  by  finding  the  cave  in  which  it  >  ^as 
secreted,  and,  changing  into  a  worm,  crept  in  by  a  hole 
made  through  the  connivance  of  the  fair  keeper ;  then 
changed  his  form  to  that  of  an  eagle,  and  flew  away 
with  the  treasure  drawn  into  his  bill.  And  so  it  is 
the ''gift  of  the  gods." 


; 


this 

into 

the 


I    ! 


I 


!  i 


CHAPTER  XXin. 


MiihIo.  —  Education  in  Common  Life.  —  Preamble  of  Public  Ad- 
dress.—Modem  Authors. —The  Lord's  Prayer  in  1685  and  in 
1874.  —  National  Suicide.  —The  Refonnation. 

NATIVE  Icelandic  music  is  embalmed  in  sacred 
tunes,  whose  manuscripts  are  preserved  in  pri- 
vate libraries.  The  art  was  once  taught  upon  the 
island. 

They  have,  too,  an  original  instrumcT  ^jtill  found 
in  inland  homes.  It  is  the  langspie  ghtly  re- 
sembling a  guitar  lying  edgewise,  having  three  brass- 
wire  strings,  played  by  bow  and  fingers.  The  tones, 
at  a  distance,  are  not  unlike  those  of  a  piano. 

Although  music  and  poetry  are  less  cultivated 
than  formerly  by  the  Icelanders,  both  are  yet  strik- 
ingly visible  in  their  national  life  and  literature. 
^  On  public  occasions  their  ascriptions  of  praise 
still  sound  forth  with  great  power,  always  with  the 
undertone  of  that  solemnity  inspired  by  every  thirg 
around  them.  It  is  not  singular,  therefore,  that 
sacred  poetry  should  be  in  the  ascendant  among  such 
a  people.  Their  compositions  of  this  kind  would 
make  a  small  library ;  among  which  David  and  Paul 
are  inspiring  themes. 

We  may  have  one  of  the  pleasant  surprises  com- 
mon to  tourists  in  Iceland,  if  we  call  upon  the 

226 


ICELANDIC  PRAYER. 


227 


wreathei -beaten  fiHherman,  Zoega,  whose  little  boat 
rocks  upon  the  waves,  while  he  drojjs  his  line  for 
hours  to<^ethor,  amid  storm  and  aunshino,  to  seuurc  a 
scanty  supply  of  food  for  his  lava-sheltered  family. 
We  cannot  speak  Icelandic ;  so  Zoega  tries  the  pur- 
est Latin :  if  he  fails  here,  he  may  resort  to  Greek, 
ceitainly  to  Danish,  or  some  other  modern  tongue. 
Or  pause  before  that  smithy,  where  another  plain, 
poor  man  hammers  out,  in  small  jobs,  his  Hvelihood. 
His  salutation  is  in  elegant  Latin.  These  are  literal 
descriptions  of  interviews  with  men  whose  dress 
and  surroundings  form  a  contrast  seen  only  in  Ice- 
land. What  they  know  of  our  English  literature 
is  learned  mainly  '  hrough  the  Danish  and  German 
tongues,  in  which  are  read  Milton,  Addison,  Pope, 
Young,  and  other  standard  authors. 

For  some  centuries  past,  it  has  been  customary 
among  the  Icelanders,  during  the  period  of  any  great 
volcanic  eruption,  to  appoint  a  day  of  united  prayer 
and  supplication.  This  was  first  done  in  the  north- 
em  parts  of  the  island  in  1477,  when  a  general  as- 
sembly of  the  inhabitants  of  the  district  was  con- 
vened. The  following  is  the  preamble  to  the  ad- 
dress, preserved  in  old  Latin,  in  their  archives :  — 

"  In  the  name  of  God,  amen  I  On  the  first  day  of 
March  (the  last  month  of  winter),  in  the  year  of  the 
Lord  1477,  the  clergy  and  laity  who  lived  between 
Vargaa  and  Gleraa  assembled  at  Grund  in  Eyafiord,' 
and  there  held  a  conference  concerning  the  terror- 
inspiring  wonders  which  were  troubling  the  people 
in  those  days ;  to  wit,  the  fires  bursting  forth,  the 
sand  and  ashes  which  had  fallen  and  been  spread  far 


M 


iH:  i 


f  i 


t-n 


l-t 


228 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


and  wide,  the  darkness,  and  the  dreadful  hissings. 
On  account  of  these  port*}nts,  the  flocks  and  herds 
had  been  robbed  of  their  food,  though  the  earth  was 
free  from  snow. 

"  The  assembly  agreed  that  surely  this  had  hap- 
pened to  punish  the  sins  and  misdoings  of  men ; 
wherefore  they  all  thought  that  they  should  seek 
favor  and  pity  where  these  graces  abound,  —  with 
God  himself,  so  thot  he  should  will  to  turn  away 
from  them  the  consequences  of  his  anger.  They 
promised,  therefore,  that  they  would  not  seek  further 
to  avert  his  punibhments  in  this  world ;  and,  that  he 
might  not  close  the  kingdom  of  heaven  to  them, 
they  declaied  their  choice  that  God,  the  Omniscient, 
the  Omnipotent,  he  who  willed  those  things  which 
were  best,  should  be  their  protector  for  time  present 
and  time  to  come.  First  they  paid  their  vows  to  tho 
all-powerful  God." 

To  those  who  are  cuiious  to  see  how  little  change 
the  centuries  have  made  in  the  language,  we  quote 
the  Icelandic  Lord's  Prayer  in  1585,  and  also  in 
1874:  — 

Lobd'p  Pbayeb  m  1585. 

"  Fader  vor,  thu  sem  ert  d  himnum.  Helgist  thitt 
nafn.  Tilkome  thitt  rfke.  Verde  thinn  vilie,  so  d 
jordhu  sem  k  Limne.  Gief  oss  i  dag  vort  dagUgh 
braudh.  Og  fyrerldt  oss  vorar  skuUder,  so  sem  vier 
fyierlatum  vorum  skulldunautum.  Og  innleidh  oss 
ecke  i  freistne.  Heldur  frelsa  thu  oss  frd  illu,  thviat 
t^hxut  er  rikit>  mdtturenn  og  d^dhen  um  allder  allda 
A.men." 


MODEHN  AUTHORS. 


Lord's  Pbayea  in  1874. 


229 


"  Fadir  vor,  thu  sem  ert  4  himnum.  Helgisfc  thitt 
iiafii.  Tilkomini  thitt  rlki.  Verdi  thiDn  vilji,  8\o  & 
jordu  sem  a  himni.  Gef  thu  oss  i  dag  vort  daglegt 
braud.  Og  fyrirgef  oss  vorar  skuldir,  svo  sem  vjer 
og  fyrer-gefum  vorum  skuldnautum.  Og  leid  oss 
ekki  i  freistni.  Helldur  trelsa  oss  fr4  illu;  thvfad 
thitt  er  rfked  og  mdtturinn  og  dyrdin  um  aldir  alda. 
Amen." 

The  progress  of  neighboring  nations,  during  the 
centuries,  very  greatly  changed  the  relative  impor- 
tance and  pre-eminence  of  Iceland ;  and  "  the  flame 
which  was  again  kindled  among  the  people  shone 
dimly  beneath  the  splendors  of  the  sun  of  science 
which  had  now  risen  over  the  kingdoms  of  Europe." 

Among  the  new  and  splendid  lights  which  ap- 
peared during  this  period,  was  Gudbrand  Thor- 
lakson,  Bishop  of  Holar.  He  completed  his  edu- 
cation at  Copenhagen ;  and  among  his  intimate 
friends  was  the  famous  astronomer  Tycho  Brahe. 
His  bishopric  extended  over  fifty-six  years ;  and  his 
devotion  to  educational  interests,  including  the 
printing  establishments,  was  unwearied.  Nearly  one 
hundred  works  were  written  and  published  by  him. 
He  gave  his  people  the  first  translation  of  the  entire 
Bible  in  their  own  tongue,  and  also  published  the 
IceHndic  code  of  laws. 

Among  modern  authors.  Assessor  Benedikt  Gron- 

dal,  judge  in  the  higher  court  over  half  a  century 

since,  published  a  large  number  of  translations  and 

original  poems ;  his  elegant  satires  on  the  vices  and 
ao 


I 


11 


230 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


follies  of  his  countrymen  being  suppressed  by  a  law 
forbidding  the  lampooning,  which  was  so  dreaded 
a  weapon  of  revenge  in  olden  times. 

Chief- Justice  Stephenson,  president,  sixty  years 
ago,  of  a  literary  society,  would  eclipse  the  majority 
of  writers  in  any  land,  in  the  variety  and  scholarly 
character  of  his  works.  We  add  the  titles  of  a  few 
of  his  twenty  volumes :  "  Treatise  on  Meteors," 
"  Amusements  for  Friends,"  "  Volcanic  Eruptions," 
"  Hymns  and  Psalms  for  Churches,"  "  Treatise  on 
Fusd,"  "  Treatise  on  Cattle  and  Horses." 

To  the  cai^hedral,  as  it  is  called,  at  Holar,  in  the 
northern  district,  an  elaborately-sculptured  baptismal 
font  was  presented  by  the  family  of  Thorwaldsen  in 
memoriam  of  the  great  artist,  who  was  a  native  of 
the  island.  It  has  been  removed  to  the  church  at 
Reykjavik. 

Among  his  countrymen,  there  has  been  nothing  to 
stimulate  and  develop  sculpture  and  painting  ;  nor 
could  materials  for  either  be  had  without  an  expense 
quite  beyond  their  limited  means,  with  few  excep- 
tions. 

That  far-reaching  religious  revolution,  set  in  mo- 
tion by  Luther,  reached  Iceland  from  Denmark  early 
in  the  sixteenth  century.  Christian  III.,  who  had 
made  Lutheran  Christianity  the  national  religion  of 
his  realm,  determined  to  extend  the  blessing  to  his 
provinces.  He  was  resisted  by  the  priesthood,  among 
whom  Areson,  Bishop  of  Holar,  organized  an  armed 
force,  and  was  beheaded  with  his  sons. 

After  his  death,  in  1550,  the  Lutheran  Church  be- 
came the  national  form  of  Protestant  worship  in  Ice- 


THE  ICELANDIC  LANGUAGE. 


231 


land.  A  jew  life  was  breathed  into  the  nation,  and 
learning  received  a  fresh  impulse. 

Iceland  has  mpdestly  waited  long  for  her  high  place 
in  the  regard  of  echolari,  but  her  day  dawns  apace. 
Writes  our  republican  poet-laureate,  H.  W.  Long- 
fellow, — 

"  The  Icelandic  language  is  as  remarkable  as  the 
Anglo-Saxon  for  its  abruptness,  its  obscurity,  and 
the  boldness  of  its  metaphors.  Poets  are  called 
Songsmiths ;  poetry,  the  Language  of  the  Gods ; 
gold,  the  Daylight  of  Dwarfs ;  the  heavens,  the  Skull 
of  Ymer ;  the  rainbow,  the  Bridge  of  the  Gods ;  a 
battle,  a  Bath  of  Blood,  the  Hail  of  Odin,  the  Meet- 
ing of  Shields ;  the  tongue,  the  Sword  of  Words ; 
river,  the  Sweat  of  Earth,  the  Blood  of  the  Valleys ; 
arrows,  the  Daughters  of  Misfortune,  the  Hailstones 
of  Helmets ;  the  earth,  the  Vessel  that  floats  on  the 
Ages ;  the  sea,  the  Field  of  Pirates ;  a  ship,  the 
Skate  of  Pirates,  tho  Horse  of  the  Waves.  The  an- 
cient skald  (bard)  smote  the  strings  of  his  harp 
with  as  bold  a  hand  as  the  Berserk  smote  his  foe. 
When  heroes  fell  in  battle,  he  sang  t  them  in  his 
Drapa,  or  death-song,  that  they  had  gone  to  drink 
'  divine  mead  in  the  secure  and  tranquil  palaces  of 
the  gods,'  in  that  Valhalla  upon  whose  walls  stood 
the  watchman  Heimdal,  whose  ear  was  so  acute  that 
he  could  hear  the  grass  grow  in  the  meadows  of 
earth,  and  the  wool  on  the  backs  of  sheep.  He  lived 
in  a  credulous  age,  —  in  the  dim  twilight  of  the  past. 
He  was 

'  The  skylark  in  the  dami  of  years, 
The  poet  of  the  mom.' 


232 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m 


:■  i 


It  i  V 


IW 


'U. 


In  the  vast  solitudes  of  Norway,  the  heart  of  Nature 
beat  against  his  own.  From  the  midnight  gloom  of 
groves,  the  deep-voiced  pines  answered  the  deeper- 
voiced  and  neighboring  sea.  To  his  ear  these  were 
not  the  voices  of  dead,  but  living  things.  Demons 
rode  the  ocean  like  a  weary  steed,  and  the  gigantic 
pines  flapped  their  sounding  wings  to  smite  the 
spirit  of  the  storm. 

"  Still  wilder  and  fiercer  were  these  influences  of 
Nature  in  desolate  Iceland,  than  on  the  mainlai.d  of 
Scandinavia.  Fields  of  lava,  icebergs,  geysers,  and 
volcanoes,  were  familiar  sights.  When  the  long 
winter  came,  and  the  si.owy  Hecla  roared  through 
the  sunless  air,  and  the  flames  of  the  northern  au- 
rora flas^hed  along  the  sky  like  phantoms  from  Val- 
halla, the  soul  of  the  poet  was  fiUed  with  images  of 
terror  and  dismay.  He  bewailed  the  death  of  Bal- 
dur,  the  sun,  and  saw  in  each  eclipse  the  horrid  form 
of  the  wolf  Managamer,  who  swallowed  the  moon, 
and  stained  the  sky  with  blood." 

Lossing  says,  "It  is  back  to  the  Norwegian  vi- 
kings we  must  look  for  the  hardiest  elements  of  prog- 
ress in  the  United  States." 

The  Howitts  of  England  enthusiastically  declare, 
"  There  is  nothing,  besides  the  Bible,  which  sits  in  a 
divine  tranquillity  of  unapproachable  nobility,  like  a 
king  of  kings  amongst  all  other  books,  and  the  poem 
of  Homer  itself,  which  can  compare,  in  all  the  ele- 
ments of  greatness,  with  the  Edda.  There  is  a  lofti- 
ness of  stature,  and  a  growth  of  muscle,  about  it, 
which  no  poets  of  t^e  same  race  have  ever  since 
reached.      The   obscurity  which  hangs  over  some 


I  :. 


INFLUENCE  OF  THE  NORTHMEN. 


233 


lOon, 


parts  of  it,  like  the  deep  shadows  crouching  'mid  the 
ruins  of  the  past,  is  probably  the  result  of  dilapida- 
tions ;  but  amid  this  stand  forth  the  boldest  masses 
of  intellectual  masonry.  Springing  from  the  old 
Norse  of  far-off  time,  surrounded  by  the  densest 
shadows  of  forgotten  ages,  we  come  at  once  into 
the  midst  of  gods  and  heroes,  goddesses  and  fair 
women,  giants  and  dwarfs,  moving  about  in  a  world 
of  wonderful  construction." 

The  great  German  poet  Schlegel,  after  giving  the 
highest  place  to  Iceland's  earliest  literary  produc- 
tions, adds,  "  The  spiritual  veneration  for  Nature,  to 
which  the  sensual  Greek  was  an  entire  stranger, 
gushes  forth  in  their  mysterious  language  and  pro- 
phetic traditions,  with  a  fulTtide  of  enthusiasm  and 
inspiration,  sufficient  to  endure  for  centuries,  and  to 
supply  a  whole  race  of  future  bards  and  poets  with 
a  precious  and  animating  elixir." 

Writes  Laing  in  his  "  Heimskringla :  "  "  For  all 
that  men  hope  for  good  of  government,  and  future 
improvement  in  their  physical  and  moral  condition ; 
all  that  civilized  men  enjoy  at  this  day  of  civil,  reli- 
gious, and  political  liberty,  —  representative  legisla- 
tion, the  trial  by  jury,  security  of  property,  freedom 
of  mind  and  person,  the  influence  of  public  opinion 
over  the  conduct  of  public  affairs,  the  Reformation, 
the  liberty  of  the  press,  the  spirit  of  the  age,  —  all 
that  is  or  has  been  of  value  to  man  in  modern  times, 
as  a  member  of  society,  either  in  Europe  or  in  the 
New  World,  may  be  traced  to  the  spark  left  burning 
on  our  shores  by  those  northern  barbarians."    Adds 

Commander  C.  S.  Forbes,  R.  N.,  "  As  for  the  much- 
ab* 


1 


"^ipim 


234 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


I.       !    5      ■ 


vaunted  pre-eminence  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race 
among  the  moderns,  in  intellect  and  in  arms,  which 
has  passed  into  a  stereotyped  platitude  with  many  of 
our  countrymen,  —  why,  the  English  branch  of  that 
race  was  as  socially  and  morally  degenerate,  and  as 
devoid  of  spirit  and  nationality,  as  its  present  direct 
representatives,  the  Germans,  are  at  this  moment, 
until  the  irruption  of  the  cognate  branch  of  Norse 
into  our  island,  between  the  ninth  and  twelfth  cen- 
turies; whose  descendants,  inheriting  that  precious 
viking  energy,  have  since  sown  the  earth  with  colo- 
nies." 

Other  scholarly  writers  tell  us,  *'  The  ancestors  (at 
least  morally)  of  Raleigh  and  Nelson,  and  Kane  and 
Farragut,  appear  among  these  sea-rovers,  whose  pas- 
sion was  danger  and  venture  on  the  waters.  Here, 
too,  among  such  men  as  the  '  Raven  Floke,'  is  the 
prototype  of  those  American  pioneers  who  follow 
the  wild  birds  into  pathless  wildernesses  to  found 
new  republics.  And  it  is  the  Norse  '  udal '  property^ 
not  the  European  feudal  property.,  which  is  the  model 
for  the  American  descendants  of  the  ancient  Norsemen. 

"  Here  we  have  no  dissolute  Pantheon,  with  gods 
revelling  eternally  in  earthly  vices,  and  the  evils  and 
wrongs  of  humanity  continued  forever.  Gods  and 
men  die  in  the  heat  of  the  conflict ;  and  there  sur- 
vives alone  Baldur,  the  '  God  of  Love,'  who  shall 
create  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth. 

"  While  German  literature  darkens  under  the 
malignant  star  of  Deutschthum ;  while  French  art, 
sickening  of  its  long  disease,  crawls  like  a  leper 
through  the  light  and  wholesome  world ;  while  JtU 


CHANGE  IN   THE   GOVERNMENT. 


235 


race 
4iich 
lyof 
that 
id  as 
lirect 
ment, 
Norse 
L  cen- 
Bcious 
I  colo- 
urs (at 
le  and 
je  pas- 
Here, 
is  the 
follow 
found 
opert'fj^ 
model 


ler  the 
:h  art, 
leper 
lile  all 


over  the  European  Continent  one  wan  influence  or 
another  asserts  its  despair-engendering  sway  over 
books  and  men,  —  whither  shall  a  bewildered  student 
fly  for  one  deep  breath  of  pure  air  and  wholes0me 
ozone  ? 

"  Turn  northward,  traversing  the  great  valleys  of 
Scandinavia,  and  not  halting  until  you  look  upon 
'  that  slowly  heaving  Polar  Ocean,  over  which,  in 
the  utmost  north,  the  great  sun  hangs  low.'  " 

Suicide  has  been  the  epitaph  of  fallen  nations. 
Iceland  is  no  exception.  The  old  Scandinavian 
blood,  which  chafed  against  any  restraint  or  rivalry 
in  political  or  social  importance  and  power,  lost  none 
of  its  fire  during  three  and  a  half  centuries  of  free- 
dom. Deadly  feuds,  largely  instigated  and  kept 
alive  by  Norway,  wearied  the  nation,  and  created  a 
feeling  bordering  on  desperation. 

In  1261,  aided  by  Snorro  Sturleson,  a  favorite  at 
the  Norwegian  court,  where  he  resided  two  years, 
Iceland  gave  her  glory  to  another.  The  eastern 
portion,  and,  three  years  after,  the  western,  quietly 
passed  under  the  shadow  of  Hacon's  throne ;  a 
shadow  whose  blight  was  imperceptible  at  first,  but 
sure  in  its  ultimate  work. 

The  people  gave  no  visible  signs  of  the  great  and 
bloodless  change  to  the  condition  of  dependence. 
They  cherished  educational  institutions,  and  enjoyed 
i^ereral  prosperity ;  but  Thingvalla's  walls  echoed  no 
longer  to  the  eloquence  of  freemen,  acknowledging 
no  sovereignty  outside  of  their  island-republic. 

We  can  only  speculate  upon  the  possible  effect,  in 
.saving  Iceland  from  hopeless  decline,  of  a  more  vigor- 


236 


THE  ISLAND  OF  F/RE. 


■••  I 


0118  Christianity,  unenfeebled  by  union  with  the 
state,  which  created  and  has  preserved  the  American 
Republic  for  a  century,  and,  if  made  controlling,  will 
perpetuate  it  while  governments  exist. 

In  the  loss  of  power  from  this  exhaustless  source 
of  re-enforcement,  and  quickening  of  all  life,  includ- 
ing the  individual  and  public  conscience,  depress- 
ing conditions  were  the  more  influential ;  and  the 
ancient  spirit  of  independence,  whose  original  law- 
lessness and  rivalries  were  its  inspiration,  declined. 
The  people  "  yielded  the  more  easily  to  the  encroach- 
ments first  of  Norway,  and  then  of  Denmark,  upon 
the  rights  at  first  reserved  for  themselves.  The 
latter  gradually  disappeared,  or  were  so  curtailed 
that  they  barely  continued  to  exist  in  form  ;  and 
about  the  year  1660  the  island  virtually  lost  every 
vestige  of  independence.  Denmark's  rule  was  abso- 
lute, and  there  was  no  appeal  from  it.  Even  the 
few  traders  appointed  by  the  Danish  government 
for  the  island,  and  allowed  the  entire  monopoly  of 
its  commerce,  were  Danes,  not  Icelanders.  The  peo- 
ple grew  steadily  poorer,  and  powerless  in  propor- 
tion to  their  poverty. 

This  state  of  things  lasted,  with  slight  variations, 
for  nearly  two  centuries." 

As  many  have  had  no  opportunity  of  becoming 
acquainted  with  Iceland's  national  religion,  whose 
name  is  derived  from  the  gifted  and  heroic  leader  in 
the  great  Reformation,  it  may  interest  them  to  read  a 
brief  outline  of  public  worship,  and  the  general 
status  of  the  denomination. 

The  "  Augsburg  Confession "  drawn  up  by  Me- 


LUTHERAN  IBM. 


237 


the 
licaii 
,  will 

ource 
Lclud- 
press- 
l  the 
law- 
dined, 
roach- 
,  upon 
The 
rtailed 
;   and 
every 
s  abso- 
len  the 
nment 
oly  of 
lie  peo- 
ropor- 

liations, 


lanethon,  and  approved  by  Luther,  has  been,  and  is, 
the  acknowledged  standard  of  doctrine.  The  mem- 
bership, in  our  country  alone,  is  nearly  half  a  mil- 
lion, with  two  thousand  clergymen.  They  have  a 
liturgy ;  and  the  clergy,  in  their  official  duties,  wear 
a  robe,  usually  black.  "  The  Church  Year,"  with  its 
great  festivals,  is  kept.  The  hymns  are  sung  by  all 
the  people,  with  organ  accompaniment.  The  hymn- 
ology  of  the  Lutheran  Church  surpasses  that  of  all 
other  churches  in  the  world  in  sweetness,  richness, 
power,  and  unction.  Even  in  their  English  dress, 
there  are  few  hymns  more  beautiful  or  soul-inspiring 
than  Luther's  "  A  mighty  Fortress  is  our  God,"  or 
"  O  Head  so  bruised  and  wounded  1 "  or  "  Jerusalem 
the  Golden." 

Before  tracing  the  history  of  the  people  more  in 
detail  to  the  )resent,  we  mount  our  "  galloway  "  for 
views  of  some  of  the  impressive  natural  sceneiy  o\ 
Iceland. 


!  'i  I 


i  iilt 


Icommg 
whose 

iader  in 
read  a 
i-eneral 


T  »      ^ 


li 


'  'I  i 


ill 

li     i 


11 


lit 
It'  i 


,i 


ll 


IB) 


I .  .1. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

An  Excursion  to  the  Guldbringfe  Syssel,  or  Golubringing  District.  — 
The  Outfit.  —  Bessestad. — Boiling  Springs.  —  An  Uuexflaiued 
Wonder.  — Guldbringfe  Syssel.  —  Stappen.  —  Reykholt.  —  Scenesi 
along  Paths  of  Travel 

IT  is  six  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  and  yonder,  at  an 
easy  pace  which  says,  "  I  never  huny,"  comes  the 
guide  towards  the  only  hotel  at  the  capital,  with 
his  "  shaggy  cavalcade."  And  at  last  in  earnest 
commences  the  packing  away  of  tents,  food,  &c.,  upon 
the  baggage-horses,  whose  number  depends  on  the 
variety  and  quantity  of  those  articles.  These  white, 
black,  mottled,  and  intelligent  animals  cost  from  ten 
to  thirty  dollars  each ;  for  the  tourist  usually  buys  to 
sell  again  when  done  with  them.  Such  saddles  I 
they  are  seen  nowhere  else.  Square  pieces  of  spongy 
turf  from  the  bogs  are  tied  on  the  backs  by  a  rope  ; 
and  on  them  is  fastened  a  piece  of  wood  fitted  to  the 
place.  The  ends  project,  with  pegs  in  each,  on  which 
with  woollen  cords  the  load  is  hung.  It  is  a  nice 
operation  to  balance  the  burdens,  and  seldom  done  so 
well,  that  before  travelling  far  they  do  not  require 
re-adjustment. 

When  all  is  ready,  the  animals  are  tied  together 
head  to  tail,  to  prevent  separation,  and  getting  astray. 
At  night,  to  keep  them  near  the  encampment,  their 

288 


BE8SESTAD. 


239 


heads  and  tails  are  tied  together,  forming  a  living 
ring  of  horse-flesh  and  tani^^led  extremities. 

Away  they  scamper  tandem,  at  the  crack  of  their 
master's  whip  along  the  foot-higliway.  A  harness 
never  fetters  their  free  motions,  nor  does  the  sound 
of  carriage-wheels  ever  diown  the  noise  of  their  uon- 
shod  hoofs. 

The  intelligence  of  thn  ironies  is  not  only  seen  in 
the  almost  superhuman  caution  on  perilous  roads, 
but,  when  he  makes  a  tangent  from  the  way,  "  Ho, 
ho  I  "  from  the  guide,  brings  the  wanderer  back.  But 
it  is  understood  between  him  and  his  master,  that 
when  they  reach  a  stopping-place,  if  the  reins  are 
left  upon  his  neck,  he  is  at  liberty  to  wander  at  will 
for  pasture  :  if  thrown  on  the  grass,  he  does  not  ven- 
ture out  of  sight ;  it  is  as  if  he  had  heard  his  rider 
say,  "  Pony,  1  shall  want  you  shortly ;  don't  go 
away."  The  patient  animal  stands,  it  maybe,  weary 
and  hungry,  waiting  for  his  burden  again. 

Every  man  in  Iceland  is  his  own  blacksmith,  and 
carries  with  him  on  long  journeys  the  plain,  simple 
shoes  and  nails,  fitting  them  as  they  are  needed. 

To  the  south,  and  through  the  wildest  possible 
region  of  rocks,  thrown  into  "all  sorts  of  fantastic 
forms,"  making  yawning  chasms  and  caverns,  the 
path  leads  to  Hafnprfiord,  sheltered  by  vast  parallel 
ledges  of  rock,  once  destroying  streams  of  fire. 

Near  this  town  is  ancient  Bessestad,  where,  for 
many  years,  was  Iceland's  only  seat  of  learning,  after- 
ward removed  to  Reykjavik.  No  college  in  our  own 
land  makes  a  greater  display  of  classical  lore  on 
examination-day  than  did  famous  Bessestad. 


240 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


o 


A  few  miles  beyond  it,  many  years  ajijo,  a  travelling 
j)iii'ty  stumbled  upon  the  bonea  and  clothes,  strewed 
around  on  the  rocks,  of  a  woman  lost  twelve  months 
before,  and  of  whom  no  tidings  had  been  heard.  The 
eagles  and  foxes  had  entirel}'^  consumed  the  flesh. 

There  is  a  boiling  spring  not  far  distant,  under  a 
natural  dome,  where  the  cottagers  in  tliat  part  of  the 
valley  cook  their  food.  What  a  saving  in  fuel,  and 
in  the  getting  and  liJindling  of  water  I 

And  now  we  have  a  succession  of  exciting  wondei*s 
before  us.  A  mile  farther,  and  there  is  one  unri- 
valled in  the  world.  From  the  face  of  a  rock  rising 
twenty  feet,  and  a  hundred  and  fifty  in  length,  burst 
sixteen  boiling  springs,  two  of  which,  during  the 
ages,  have  played  at  hide-and-seek. 

From  an  opening,  shoots  up  a  column  of  water  for 
a  few  moments,  then  suddenly  is  gone  ;  when  from 
another  orifice  a  similar  jet,  but  smaller,  immediately 
rises  into  the  ai'^.  And  thus  at  regular  interv;ds,  un- 
ceasingly, do  these  streams  of  hot  water  lise  and  fall. 

We  know  of  no  explanation  of  a  performance  in 
which  a  system  of  natural  valves  seems  indispensa^ 
ble. 

Boiling  springs  border  the  serpentine  way,  sending 
up  white  clouds  of  incense  upon  the  startlingly  silent 
air. 

At  Krisuvik  is  the  well-known  Sulphur  Mountain, 
whose  slope  is  a  grand  manufactory  of  the  article  of 
commerce  after  which  it  is  named ;  a  steaming, 
crystal-frosted,  mud-boiling  laboratory,  equal  to  the 
wants  of  the  world  in  the  staple  it  produces. 

The  most  gifted  observer  has  no  language  ade- 


CRATER-CHASM.  —  Page  239. 


I 


1 

p 

WILD  SCENERY. 


241 


quate  to  portray  the  "  wonders  and  terrors  of  this 
place.  The  sensations  of  a  person  even  of  fiim 
nerves,  standinj^  on  a  support  which  feebly  sustains 
him,  over  an  abyss,  where,  literally,  fire  and  brim- 
stone are  in  dreadful  and  incessant  action;  before 
tremendous  proofs  of  what  is  going  on  beneath  him  ; 
enveloped  in  thick  vapors ;  his  ear  stunned  wit? 
thundering  noises,  —  these  can  hardly  be  expresset^ 
in  words."     Krisuvik  lies  on  the  south  side. 

Guldbringd  Syssel,  or  Gold-bringing,  because  of 
its  fisheries,  as  may  be  seen  on  any  map  of  the 
Island,  stretches  far  out  into  the  sea,  south-west 
of  Reykjavik,  and  terminating  in  Cape  Reykianes. 

North  of  it,  and  running  farther  into  the  ocean,  is 
the  peninsula  whose  remarkable  extremity  is  the  grand 
Snaefell  Jokul.  Its  northern  shore  is  quite  unlike 
the  scenery  of  Guldbringd.  A  valley,  which  spreads 
from  the  sea  to  Mount  Esian,  is  level,  and  green  with 
verdure.  An  hour's  travel,  and  we  reach  Saurbar, 
fi'om  whose  parish  register  we  have  copied  a  page 
of  the  pastor's  memoranda.  At  Leira,  a  neighboring 
parish,  was  formerly  the  headquarters  of  a  literary 
society,  whose  printing-office  was  here. 

Farther  along  the  coast  is  Stapskape,  with  its  mar- 
vellous columnar  rocks,  bearing  some  resemblance  to 
our  own  Palisades  on  the  Hudson,  caverns  not  unlike 
Fingal's  Cave,  and  immense  arches  of  the  same 
lava-granite.  In  the  clear  air  looms  ice-crowned 
Snaefell  Jokul.  Few  feet  have  ever  attempted  to 
scale  it,  and  none  ever  crossed  the  awful  chasm  guard- 
ing its  crest  for  a  hundred  feet  below,  the  object  of 
superstitious  awe  to  the  islanders. 

21 


V 


m  V  i 


i  1 


-n- 


242 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


East  of  Olafsik,  on  the  north  coast  of  Snaefellsness, 
is  Bulandshofdi  Pass,  which  is  along  the  almost  per- 
pendicular side  of  a  promontory  rising  two  thousand 
feet  from  the  ocean-surf.  The  fearful  magnificence 
of  this  naiTow  pathway,  the  precipice  towering  a 
thousand  feet  above  and  below,  cannot  be  surpassed. 

The  awe-inspiring  sublimity  of  such  desolate 
heights,  often  splintered  and  turreted,  which  stand 
like  swarthy  giants  upon  the  shores  that  encircle 
Iceland,  is  peculiar  to  it ;  and  although  destitute  of 
verdure,  or  Scottish  glens  smiling  in  their  fastness, 
they  leave  an  impression  unsurpassed  in  vividness  and 
power  by  any  other  coast-views,  unless  Jan  Mayen, 
which  but  few  eyes  have  ever  beheld,  be  an  excep- 
tion. 

It  was  no  trivial  compliment  paid  by  the  French 
Abb^  Bernard,  at  the  trading-station  of  Grundar 
Fiord,  not  far  from  this  pass,  when  he  said  to  an  Eng- 
lish tourist,  "  lis  sont  si  b^tes ; "  that  is  to  say,  no 
impression  could  be  made  upon  the  natives.  During 
a  two-years'  residence,  not  a  convert  had  been  made 
to  the  Romish  faith,  abjured  three  centuries  before. 

Iceland  has  its  own  odd  bog-lands.  From  the  sur- 
face of  the  land,  like  small  bundles  of  straw  standing 
endwise,  are  scattered  miniature  mounds,  covered 
with  fine  grass.  These  are  not  growths,  but  thrown 
up  by  the  action  of  the  frost;  and  consequently,  if 
any  are  removed,  likely  to  be  restored  again. 

Whatever  direction  is  taken  towards  the  interior, 
there  bursts  on  the  view  continually,  "some  new 
wonder  in  the  unearthly  landscape.*'  Sometimes  it 
will  be  a  grassy  plain  lying  in  a  horse-shoe  range  of 


SABBATH  AT  REYKBOLT. 


243 


no 


nor, 
new 
es  it 
e  of 


parti-colored  hills;  beyond  which,  nearly  encircling 
it,  is  another  line  of  heights,  black,  red,  and  yellow, 
making  the  "  5ire-moulded  circle  seem  weird  and  im- 
passable. But,  doubling  the  horn,  there  succeeds  a 
rampart  of  green  hills,  opening  into  glens,  gorges, 
and  plains,  beyond  which  is  moorland  watered  by 
rivers  and  silvery  lakes.  Here  and  there,  rise  vol- 
umes of  sulphur  vapor  and  steam,  from  the  slopes, 
and  even  the  surface,  of  swiftly-flowing  streams. 
In  the  distance,  rises  grandly  a  lofty  fell  or  jokul, 
burying  its  crown  in  a  cloud,  or  gleaming  in  the 
sun." 

We  stand  at  the  entrance  of  the  wonderful  valley 
of  Reykiiolt.  More  columns  than  the  eye  can  dis- 
tinguish of  vapor  slowly  ascend  in  the  perspective. 
Advancing  along  the  valley,  first  from  a  platform  of 
lava,  through  several  apertures  the  boiling  water  is 
thrown,  warning  the  incautious  traveller  to  keep  at 
a  safe  distance  from  all  but  the  smallest  jets  of  the 
caldron  below.  Still  farther,  a  massive  rock  ten  feet 
high,  and  about  forty  long,  stands  in  the  middle  of  a 
rushing  ri.er;  and  from  its  highest  point  furiously 
dashes  upward  a  steaming  column.  Near  it,  from  the 
)c  ed  of  the  stream  itself,  issue  springs  of  boiling  water. 

Tt  is  sabbath  day  at  Reykholt,  Aug.  21 ;  and 
without  a  cloud  on  the  intense  blue,  since  soon  after 
the  "  noon  of  night "  the  sun  has  been  moving  along 
his  high  arctic  curve,  flooding  the  landscape,  whose 
"  YQvy  volcanic  agencies  seem  to  relax  their  energies, 
as  their  steam-columns  languidly  rise  towards  the 
heavens,  beckoning  the  scattered  inhabitants  of  this 
wild  valley  to  direct  their  tlioughts  above,  with  more 


I 


i 


< 


iwn 


mi 


> 

1   s 


!f  f 


In  u 


m 


wi 


f! 


iiiii 


i.,M 


ri 


!  n 


ill 


k 


24  i 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


solemnity  than  the  sound  of  the  village  bell.  Even 
the  cattle,  as  if  conscious  of  the  day,  relinquish  their 
rich  pastures  by  the  river's  bank,  and,  collected  in  a 
group  at  the  entrance  of  the  '  t6n,'  appear  to  enjoy 
more  perfectly  at  their  ease  the  rare  rays  of  the  re- 
splendent morning. 

"Files  of  mounted  peasants  and  their  children, 
dressed  in  holiday  best,  are  now  threading  their  way 
from  the  neighboring  farms,  and  converging  to  the 
church ;  where,  on  their  arrival,  they  tether  their 
ponies,  and  cluster  around  the  entrance,  awaiting  the 
appearance  of  the  pastor." 

A  suggestive  link,  indeed,  are  these  **  motley  cav- 
alcades," between  a  past  generation  and  the  present, 
including,  as  they  do,  all  ages,  from  the  sleeping 
infant,  to  the  aged  grandmother,  sitting  astride  her 
pony,  his  bushy  tail  and  mane  flying  in  all  directions. 
Silver  belts,  gilt  buttons  and  breastpins,  below  the 
fantastic  head-dress,  reflect  the  sunbeams  that  fall 
amid  the  sabbath  stillness.  Yonder  he  comes,  with 
tottering  step,  —  the  dear  old  pastor,  the  venerable 
patriarch  of  the  valley,  attended  by  three  clergymen 
from  adjoining  parishes,  to  assist  him  in  the  services 
his  own  strength  is  insufficient  to  perform.  Saluting 
each  member  of  his  flock,  he  passes  into  the  hushed 
sanctuary,  and  the  anthem  of  praise  floats  out  upon 
the  slumbering  air.  It  is  eleven  o'clock;  and,  until 
nearly  one,  worship  is  rendered  to  Him  who  ia  nev^r 
confused  nor  deceived  by  the  manifold  dialects  an^l 
forms  of  homage,  in  the  same  pure  Norse  that  invoked 
the  smiles  of  Odin  a  thousand  years  ago. 

We  have  a  fine  illustration  of  the  peculiar  fascina- 


SKETCH  OF  AN  ENGLISH  TOURIST. 


245 


the 


Iked 


tion  of  the  most  desolate  portions  of  Iceland,  in  the 
finiohed  sketches  by  Mr.  Byrce,  an  English  tourist, 
of  an  excursion  there  in  the  summer  of  1872. 

The  picture  we  copy  is  from  the  side  washed  by 
the  Arctic  Sea. 

"  We  reached  a  high,  undulating  plateau,  strewn 
with  loose,  rough  slabs  of  stone,  like  the  pavem'^nt  of 
a  ruined  city,  with  here  and  there  sheets  of  black 
water,  too  small  for  lakes,  too  big  for  pools  ;  patches 
of  bog,  and  beds  of  half-thawed  snow.  The  slowly 
rising  clouds  showed  all  round  the  same  country,  a 
land  without  form  and  void,  a  land  that  seemed  as  if 
only  half-created,  with  no  feature  for  the  eye  to 
dwell  upon  ;  neither  peaks  nor  valleys,  neither  rocks 
nor  grass,  but  everywhere  bare,  bleak,  blank  desola- 
tion. It  was  not  always  the  same,  for  sometimes 
there  was  more  snow,  sometimes  bog,  sometimes  only 
stone ;  but  one  had  no  sense  of  progress  in  it,  and 
felt  as  if  it  might  go  on  forever.  Late  in  the  after- 
noon, the  stone  changed  to  a  rolling  plain  of  black 
volcanic  pebbles ;  and,  coming  at  last  to  an  oasis  of 
short  grass,  we  halted  to  give  the  horses  a  feed, 
though  a  scanty  one,  and  to  discuss  our  course  ;  for 
the  clouds  had  now  settled  down  upon  us,  and  there 
was  no  seeing  more  than  a  few  hundred  yards  in  any 
direction.  Track,  or  mark  to  indicate  a  track,  there 
was  of  course  none. 

"  Next  morning  early,  when  we  again  mounted,  and 
started,  unrefreshed,  upon  our  way,  every  thing  was 
still  wrapped  in  cloud.  About  nine  o'clock,  however, 
the  mist  suddenly  rose,  and  then  vanished ;  the  sun 
shone  out,   and  the  wished-for  jokuU  appeared,  a 


11 


if! 


*     :    S-1 


n'i 


246 


TEE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


I   \ 


*   -'t 


m^ 


'[  I 


long,  flat-topped,  smooth-sloped  ridge  of  ice,  four  oi 
five  miles  to  the  east  of  us,  trending  away  south  far- 
ther than  eye  could  reach.  So  the  way  was  now 
plain  ;  and  we  rode  on  as  fast  as  the  roughness  of  the 
ground  permitted,  where  flats  covered  with  the  over- 
flow of  glacier  torrents  alternated  with  rocky  or 
shingly  hills,  and  with  the  iron  billows  of  successive 
lava-flows.  The  scene  was  unlike  yesterday's,  aa 
drear  and  solitary,  but  with  a  certain  weird  splendor 
of  its  own ;  on  one  side,  the  smooth,  endless  line  of 
snow-field ;  on  the  other,  an  immense  plain,  flooded 
with  sunlight,  with  a  few  tiny  volcanic  cones  rising 
on  its  extreme  western  marge ;  right  in  front,  two 
bold,  snowy  mountain  groups,  the  square  mass  of 
Lang  JokuU,  and  opposite  it  five  sharp  icy  pinnacles 
capping  the  ridge  of  Bldngny  Jokull ;  between  them 
a  depression,  through  which  we  were  to  pass  to  the 
south,  and  which,  so  clear  was  the  air,  seemed  no 
nearer  at  six  o'clock,  after  incessant  quick  riding, 
than  when  we  had  caught  sight  of*it  before  noon.  ^ 
"  The  unfruitful  sea  is  not  more  lonely  or  more 
waste  than  this  wilderness,  shut  in  by  frozen  barriers. 
Yet  it  was  not  a  howling  wilderness,  such  as  that 
which  awes  a  child  is  imagination  in  the  Hebrew 
prophets,  such  as  that  we  had  traversed  the  day 
before  ;  but  full  of  a  strange,  stern  beauty,  stilling  the 
soul  with  the  stillness  of  nature.  There  was  not  a 
cloud  in  the  sky,  not  a  bird,  not  an  insect,  not  a  flow- 
eret at  our  feet ;  only  the  blue  dome  of  air  raining 
down  brightness  on  the  black  desert  floor,  the  daz- 
zling snows  in  front,  and  far  away  exquisite  tints  of 
distance  upon  the  western  peaks.    And  then  the 


SKETCH  BY  AN  ENGLISH  TOURIST. 


247 


silence,  what  was  ever  like  it  ?  a  silence,  not  as  of 
death,  but  as  of  a  time  before  life  was.  To  us,  the 
scene  was  all  the  more  solemn  becp'ise  of  yesterday's 
cloud,  and  the  weary  night ;  for  there  was  nothing  to 
connect  what  we  now  saw  with  the  region  we  had 
left  on  the  northern  side  of  the  desert ;  we  could  no 
more  tell  how  we  had  got  there  than  how  we  should 
pet  out.  It  was  like  a  leap  into  fairy-lard,  and,  in- 
deed, despite  our  exhaustion,  a  delicious  leap,  for  the 
air  was  so  fine  and  keen,  the  sky  so  brilliant,  the 
aspect  of  every  thing  so  novel,  that  the  barrenness 
underfoot,  and  the  sense  of  danger  in  case  any  mis- 
fortune befell  us  so  far  from  human  help,  did  not 
seem  to  depress  us  ;  and  each  rode  alone  in  a  sort  of 
grave  exhilaration, 'gazing  as  in  a  dream  at  the  hills, 
and  drinking  in  the  sunlight,  content  with  silence 
and  the  present. 

"  The  sun  went  down  as  we  entered  the  majestic, 
sand-strewn  portal  between  the  two  jokulls  ;  and  the 
eastern  one,  on  whose  snows  his  light  lingered  long- 
est, glowed  with  colors  more  glorious  than  any  we 
could  remember  in  the  Alps  ;  the  rose,  perhaps,  less 
vivid  than  that  which  burns  at  dawn  upon  the  Silber- 
horn,  but  with  it  an  infinitely  varied  and  tender 
ftlternation  of  violet  and  purple,  opal  and  pink  and 
grange,  passing  from  one  tint  to  another  in  swift  iri- 
lescent  pulses  till  they  died  away  into  chilly  blue. 
Darkness  had  hardly  descended  before  what  had 
seemed  a  steel-gray  bank  of  cloud  in  the  north-east 
turned  to  an  auroral  arch,  which  soon  shot  forth  its 
streamers  across  the  zenith,  throbbing  and  glancing 
from  one  side  of  heaven  to  the  other,  and  flinging 


1  ii 


I 


^im 

!^s 

T  f ' 


? 


> 


I    ' 


1 

■•  ■ 

.1 

1 

j 

i 

■ 

if 

1 

248 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


themselves  into  exuberant  folds  and  curves  of  vapor- 
ous light. 

"  When  the  saffron  robe  of  morning  was  spread  over 
the  east,  we  were  among  new  mountains,  with  the 
pass  already  far  away ;  and  when  from  behind  one 
of  their  pinnacles  the  sun  suddenly  flamed  up,  we 
were  descending  towards  the  Great  White  Lake,  My- 
vatn,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  country,  over  whose 
bosom  two  glaciers  streaming  down  between  savage, 
ink-black  cliffs,  scattered  a  shower  of  miniature  ice- 
bergs, that  sailed  about,  sparkling  in  the  morning 
Hght." 

Krossholm,  in  Northern  Iceland,  received  its  name 
from  a  cross  raised  on  the  highest  summit,  along  the 
beautiful  valley  of  Hvam,  by  the  widow  of  Baldur  the 
Rich,  a  sea-rover  who,  having  embraced  Christianity 
in  England,  was  slain  there.  After  his  death  she 
returned  to  Iceland,  and  erected  the  sacred  symbol ; 
which,  after  she  died,  was  removed,  and  a  heathen 
temple  erected  on  the  very  spot  where  it  stood. 

In  this  connection,  we  are  reminded  that  the  most 
memorable  domestic  festivals  were  the  funeral  feasts, 
which  were  sometimes  on  a  grand  scale,  attended  by 
many  hundreds  of  guests,  and  continued  several 
days.  It  is  related,  that,  at  Hjalke's  death,  fourteen 
hundred  persons  kept  this  Viking  *'  wake."  A  man 
of  wealth  named  And,  when  he  knew  death  was 
near,  made  a  magnificent  feast,  distributing  his  pro- 
perty to  his  heirs,  and  presents  to  his  friends. 

It  was  a  custom  sacredly  regarded  to  have  th<! 
eyes  of  the  dead  closed  by  the  nearest  of  kin. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


thfl 


Excnraion  from  Thingvalla  to  the  Geysers.  —  Uncomplaining  Henlg- 
nation.— The  Geyser.  —  The  Strokr. 

"DETURNING  to  Thingvalla,  we  follow  Hooker  to 
-^^  the  Geysers,  in  the  year  1809,  along  a  very  dan- 
gerous route,  much  of  the  way  lying  between  fright- 
ful chasms,  and  over  fragments  of  rock,  with  deep 
holes  among  them,  and  so  narrow  at  times  the  horses 
could  1)arely  pass  single  file.  A  more  striking  scene 
in  travel  cannot  be  imagined,  than  such  a  cavalcade 
winding  along  a  pathway  no  horses  but  those  native 
to  the  soil  could  thread,  on  the  winding  ridge,  amid 
awful  solitudes,  and  scenery  whose  strange  grandeur 
is  nowhere  else  to  be  found  on  the  globe.  Many 
have  been  killed  among  these  savage  hollows.  In 
connection  with  these  perils,  our  traveller  sheds 
touching  light  upon  the  Icelander's  religious  charac- 
ter. 

When  the  priest  Egclosen's  only  horse  fell  into 
one  of  them,  mangling  his  legs,  instead  of  complain- 
ing, he  went  cheerfully  on  his  way.  Adds  Hooker, 
"  When  I  was  lamenting  the  number  of  lives  which 
he  informed  me  were  lost  among  the  holes  that  are 
here  everywhere  met  with,  he  stopped  me  by  saying, 

249 


!iin 


:  ! 


f    i! 


250 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


«    i       ! 


I  r*  ' 


'Hi 


1^  Z 


*  It  is  God's  will  that  it  should  be  so.'  "  And  this 
writer  is  in  doubt  how  much  of  the  hai)i)y  resigna- 
tion, greater  among  the  Icelanders  than  "  any  other 
people  he  has  read  of,"  is  the  fruit  of  piety,  and 
what  may  be  due  to  climate,  and  the  force  of  siu*- 
rounding  circumstances.  We  think  both  have  their 
influence,  but  principally  the  former,  if  we  recollect 
that  the  Bible  and  hymn-book  have  always  a  place 
in  their  dwellings.  His  love  of  his  own  island  is  no 
less  marked,  and  more  beautiful.  Whether  in  Edin- 
burgh, where  an  Icelandic  bride  and  bridegroom  on 
their  wedding-trip  looked  out  upon  the  great  city, 
and  burst  into  t'^rs  with  very  homesickness,  or  the 
sojourner  at  Cop^ahagen,  who  breaks  away  from  a 
milder  climate  and  greater  comforts  for  the  dear 
"  Maid  of  the  North,"  the  same  passionate  affection 
for  her  is  expressed.  To  the  wanderer,  wherever  he 
goes,  she  is  the  fairest  of  all  the  earth. 

About  seventy  miles  from  Reykjavik,  through 
Thingvalla,  from  the  slopes  of  Laugafell,  rising 
three  hundred  feet  above  the  river  at  its  base,  the 
geysers  lift  their  steaming  columns  to  the  light. 
Approaching  an  inclined  plane,  which  becomes  the 
side  of  the  summit,  clouds  of  smoke,  like  those  from 
chimneys  in  a  frosty  morning,  curl  upwards  from  the 
mounds  scattered  over  it ;  the  highest  of  which 
makes  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Geyser.  Its  circular 
lini  is  a  brownish  gray,  and  dotted  with  little  hil- 
locks, covered  with  efflorescence,  forming  a  necklace 
of  silver,  or,  more  nearly,  in  appearance  of  ivory 
beads.  The  saucer-shaped  mouth  is  more  than  fifty 
feet  across ;  and  five  feet  below  it  is  the  cylinder 


m 


ight. 

J  the 

from 

m  the 

which 

TCUlaT 

le  lul- 
cklace 
ivory 
fifty 
rlindei 


THE    GREAT    r.EVSER.  -  Page  !>■■ 


i 

(."■' 

'm 

m 

H 

M 

Hk  rt 

ti^Kij 

Ie 

W 

Hk 

11 

Si-  < 


U 


vv 


hi"   f 


0 


i       is 


THE  GREAT  OEYBER. 


351 


through  which  the  boiling  flood  is  thrown  upward 
£i'om  its  mysterious  depths. 

When  the  Geyser  is  at  rest,  the  eye  looks  down 
upon  a  pool  of  water,  clear  as  crystal ;  none  more 
pellucid,  perhaps,  in  the  world.  Watching  it,  tlio 
surface  is  troubled  with  the  unceasing  ebullition, 
ready  for  the  tremendous  explosion,  whose  approach 
is  heralded  by  signal-guns,  exactly  resembling  distant 
cannon,  and  by  the  trembling  of  the  earth.  The 
agitation  increases ;  the  water  rolls  over  the  basin's 
edge ;  and  jets,  a  dozen  feet  in  heijj^ht,  are  thiown 
upwards  with  a  roar  like  that  of  artillery.  And 
this  is  all  the  traveller  may  see  for  days.  At  length 
subterranean  thunders  and  shocks  increase,  like  the 
"firing  from  a  fleet  of  ships  on  a  rejoicing  day," 
when  the  cannon  are  discharged  without  regularity, 
—  now  singly,  and  now  two  or  three  at  the  same 
moment.  Then  follows  jet  after  jet,  increasing  in 
volume  and  height,  till  a  hundred  feet  of  the  col- 
umnar waters  rise  in  the  air,  the  base  a  vast  mound 
of  foam,  indescribable  in  magnificence  and  beauty. 

It  rolls  and  flashes  through  the  cloud  of  mist 
which  veils  its  impressive  wonders,  mounting  up- 
ward in  compact  shafts,  then  burating  into  number- 
less long  and  slender  "  streamlets  of  spray,"  shot 
like  rockets  in  every  direction ;  all  sparkling  like  a 
cascade  of  diamonds  in  the  sun. 

In  a  few  moments,  suddenly  the  pageant  falls  and 
disappears,  while  the  beholder  is  spellbound  with 
its  glories ;  and  only  the  basin,  with  its  cloud  of 
steam,  is  left  again. 

The  provision  nature  furnishes  always  for  making 


If  I'i 


■i 


252 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FTRE. 


11  ■ 


a  cup  of  the  indispensable  tea,  is  pleasantly  told  by 
one  who  drank  it  on  the  spot.  A  shepherd-boy 
brought  into  camp  some  milk  and  cream,  when  Zoega 
the  guide  exclaimed,  — 

"  *  Just  in  time,  sir.     I'll  make  the  tea  in  a  min- 
ute.* ,v  •     .;   ...  :,  ...       .,: 

" '  Where's  your  fire  ?  * 

"  *  Oh  I  we  don't  reed  fire  here :  the  hot  water  is 
always  ready.     There's  the  big  boiler  up  yonder.' 

"  I  looked  where  Zoega  pointed,  and  saw,  about  a 
hundred  yards  off,  a  boiling  caldron.  This  was  our 
grand  tea-kettle.  Upon  a  nearer  inspection,  I  found 
that  it  consisted  of  two  great  holes  in  the  rocks,  close 
together,  the  larger  of  which  was  about  thirty  feet 
in  circumference,  and  of  great  depth.  The  water 
was  as  clear  as  crystal.  It  was  easy  to  trace  the 
white  stratum  of  rocks,  of  which  the  sides  were 
formed,  down  to  the  neck  of  the  great  shaft  through 
which  the  water  was  ejected.  Flakes  of  steam 
floated  off  from  the  surface  of  the  crystal  pool,  which 
was  generally  placid.  Only  at  occasional  intervals 
did  it  show  any  symptoms  of  internal  commotion. 
By  dipping  my  finger  down  a  little  way,  I  found  that 
it  was  boiling  hot.  Five  minutes'  immersion  would 
be  sufficient  to  skin  and  boil  an  entire  man. 
/  '*  Nature  has  bountifully  put  these  boilers  here  for 
the  use  of  travellers.  Not  a  stick  or  twig  of  wood 
grows  wi  hin  a  circuit  of  many  miles ;  and,  without 
fuel,  of  course  it  would  be  impossible  to  cook  food. 
Here  a  leg  of  mutton,  submerged  in  a  pot,  can  be 
beautifully  boiled,  plum-puddings  cooked,  eggs, 
fish,  or  any  thing  you  please,  done  to  a  nicety.     AU 


SUNRISE. 


253 


this  I  knew  before ;  but  I  had  no  idea  that  the  vater 
was  pure  enough  for  drinking  purposes.  Such,  how- 
ever, is  the  fact.  No  better  water  ever  came  out  of 
the  earth,  in  a  boiled  condition.  To  make  a  pot  of 
tea,  you  simply  put  your  tea  into  your  pot,  hold  on 
to  the  handle,  dip  the  whole  concern  down  into  the 
water,  keep  it  there  a  while  to  draw,  and  your  tea  is 
made. 

"I  found  it  excellent,  and  did  not,  as  I  appre- 
hended, discover  any  unpleasant  flavor  in  the  water. 
It  may  be  slightly  impregnated  with  sulphur,  though 
that  gives  it  rather  a  wholesome  smack.  To  me, 
however,  it  tasted  very  much  like  any  other  hot 
water." 

The  same  traveller  thus  complains  of  the  nightless 
days  while  camping  here :  — 

"  How  in  the  world  could  anybody  be  expected 
to  sleep  where  there  was  no  night  ?  At  twelve 
o'clock,  when  it  ought  tc  be  midnight,  and  ghosts 
stirring  about,  it  was  broad  day. 

'*  After  an  uneasy  doze,  I  looked  out,  and  the  sun's 
rays  appeared  upon  the  distant  mountains.  A 
strange  time  of  the  night  for  the  sun  to  be  getting 
up,  only  half-past  one  ;  when  people  in  most  other 
parts  of  the  world  are  snug  in  bed,  and  don't  expect 
to  see  a  streak  of  sunshine  for  at  least  foiu*  or  five 
hours.  How  different  from  any  thing  I  had  ever 
before  seen  was  the  sunrise  in  Iceland !  No  crow- 
ing of  the  cock,  no  singing  of  the  birds,  no  merry 
ploughboys  whistling  up  the  horses  in  tho  barnyard, 
no  cherry-cheeked  milkmaids  singing  love-ditties  aa 

they  tripped  the  green  with  their  pails     pon  theii 
2a 


i"  t 


i  T    ^wtrngm 


254 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


heads.  All  was  grim,  silent,  and  deathlike.  And 
yet  surely,  for  all  that,  the  delicate  tints  of  the  snow- 
capped mountains,  the  peaks  of  which  were  now 
steeped  in  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun,  the  broad  valley 
slumbering  in  the  shade,  the  clear,  sparkling  atmos- 
phere, and  the  exquisite  coloring  of  the  Laugafell, — 
(he  mighty  crag  that  towers  over  the  geysers, — 
rere  beauties  enough  to  redeem  the  solitude,  and 
unbue  the  deserts  with  a  celestial  glory." 

A  few  rods  from  the  Geyser,  is  the  Strokr,  or 
ihurn,  which  occasionally  makes  an  exhibition  sec- 
ond in  grandeur  only  to  the  Geyser.  It  seems  to  be 
there  for  the  amuj-  ement  of  travellers,  while  waiting 
for  the  uncertain  explosions  of  the  monarch  of  boil- 
ing springs.  Its  crater,  in  form,  is  the  reverse  of  its 
superior,  resembling  a  saucer  in  its  natural  position, 
minus  the  bottom ;  while  that  is  like  the  same  piece 
of  crockery  Inverted.  Visitors  and  their  guiles  dig 
turf,  and  pne  it  in  heaps  by  the  mouth ;  and,  when 
large  enor.gh  to  choke  Strokr  badly,  it  is  turned 
over  into  his  throat,  After  a  brief  time  spent  in  a 
noisy  but  vain  effort  to  masticate  or  swallow  the 
mass,  with  a  tremendous  spasm  the  angry  Strokr 
sends  it  forth  and  upward,  mottling  the  crystal  cata- 
ract with  the  ascendiiig  earth  and  stones. 

The  word  "geyser"  itself  is  very  descriptive, 
meaning,  to  rush  out  impetuously. 

The  most  plausible  theory  of  the  cause  of  these 
marvellous  springs,  is  that  of  immense  cavities  of 
water  so  confined  in  the  depths  below,  that  in- 
crease of  heat,  and  consequently  steam,  at  any  time, 
upon  the  surface,  forces  it  through  the  orifice  beneath 


»  i.' 


THE  GREAT  GEYSER. 


255 


the  water-level,  upward  into  the  air.  The  heating 
forces  are  always  at  work,  but  are  so  irregular  in  the 
supply  of  steam  that  tourists  frequently  wait  several 
days  before  they  have  a  first-class  exhibition  of  the 
Great  Geyser. 

Dr.  Henderson,  who,  it  seems,  discovered  the  effect 
of  choking  the  Strokr  with  stones  or  turf,  gives  the 
different  heights  of  the  column  of  the  Great  Geyser 
in  the  years  1762,  1772,  1789,  1804,  1809,  and  1810, 
riidng  from  three  hundred  and  sixty  feet^  first  date, 
and  the  last,  ninety  feet.  Nor  is  there  any  record  of 
an  elevation  since  1804,  when  it  was  two  hundred  and 
twelve  feet,  as  measured  by  Lieut.  Oplsen,  a  Danish 
officer,  with  a  quadrant  of  over  one  half  that  height. 


these 
ies  of 
t  in- 
time, 
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.  I 


CHAPTER  XX^l. 

Mount  Hekla.— Magnificent  "View  fr  its  Top,  —  Sturtshelllr  Cav- 
ern. —  Its  Wild  Mythology  and  Traditions.  — Bulandshofdi  Pann, 
—  Mud  Caldron.  —  Dettifoss  Falls.  —  Eagle  -  Tanis.  —  Grettis 
Tak.  —  Thurrisilale.— Fording  liivers.  — Dog-tournainent.  — Flora. 

a'^HE  perilous  path  south-easterly  to  Hekla  is 
-  through  the  usual  variety  of  volcanic  scenery, 
but  wilder  and  more  difficult  in  some  of  its  features 
as  the  traveller  approaches  the  volcano.  The  ascent 
is  toilsome,  and,  like  Alpine  mountain-paths,  some- 
times crossed  with  chasms,  and  attended  with  perils. 
But  we  can  look  over  the  landscape  from  its  brow, 
with  the  eyes  of  the  first  American,  so  far  as  we 
know,  who  reached  its  top.  r  < 

"  Here  I  stood  on  the  highest  summic  of  Mount 
Hekla.  A  more  magnificent  prospect  was  never  seen. 
Iceland  was  spread  below  and  around  me  like  a  map. 
We  were  nearly  five  thousand  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  sea,  and  higher  than  the  tops  of  nearly  every 
mountain  in  Iceland.  To  the  west  and  north-west 
were  vast  green  tracts  of  meadow-land,  checkered 
with  hills,  and  surrounded  by  mountains »  White, 
shining  rivers  intersected  the  valleys  and  plains  like 
long  silver  rib))ons.  Far  in  the  north,  and  to  the 
north-east,  were  the  snowy  mountains,  not  in  peaks, 
but  stretching  avvay  in  immense  T^l'ius  of  brilliant 
white,  and  glisteniug  in  the  8r.j.cbme. 


MOUNT  HECLA. 


267 


map. 
level 
every 
L-west 
kered 
iVhite, 
s  like 
,0  the 
Ipeaks, 
illiant 


'*  fn  a  valley,  some  twenty  miles  to  the  north-\»^e8t, 
W/Wi  n  Ijeaiitifiil  cluster  of  lakes,  the  water  often  of  a 
dcf'j)  gree/i  fjolor,  as  they  reflected  the  meadows  on 
their  hnnkn.  Now  and  then  in  the  landscape  would 
appear  Ih'!  Iceland  '  forest,'  like  patches  of  shrub- 
hery  of  a  dark  green  hue.  Some  hills  and  old  lava 
diijtricts  were  covered  with  heath,  now  in  full  bloom, 
and  clothing  the  land  in  a  robe  of  purple.  The  sur- 
face of  Hekla  itself,  and  the  ground  on  every  side 
some  distance  from  the  base,  was  one  black  mass  of 
lava.  ^  ^' "-         >^     -  ' 

"  To  the  north-west,  and  near  at  hand,  rising  ab- 
ruptly from  the  plain  to  the  height  of  twenty-five 
hundred  feet,  was  Bjolfell,  a  bold  and  singular- 
looking  mountain.  A  dark  cloud  lay  in  the  south- 
east, intercepting  the  view ;  but  en  every  other  side 
the  sky  was  clear,  and  the  prospect  uninterrupted. 
To  the  south,  far  out  to  sea,  — distant  about  forty 
miles, — were  the  Westman  Islands,  rising  abruptly 
out  of  the  water  to  the  height  of  more  than  two 
thousand  feet,  and  showing  their  basaltic  cliffs  in  a 
clearly  defined  outline.  Cities,  villages,  and  human 
habitations  filled  no  part  of  the  landscape. 

"  The  magical  purity  of  the  atmosphere,  and  the 
singular  character  of  this  volcanic  country,  make  a 
view  from  the  top  of  Mount  Hekla  one  of  the  most 
extensive  and  varied  of  any  on  the  earth's  surface, 
not  excepting  iEtna  in  Sicily,  and  Vesuvius  in  Italy. 
Though  these  latter  countries  are  far  richer  in  natu- 
ral productions,  and  abound  in  cities  and  towns,  and 
the  Bay  of  Naples  is  proverbial  for  its  beauty,  yet 

I  must  say  that  the  v^ew  from  Mount  Hekla  is  far 
2a» 


!!' 


' 


i;;<l 


f'l- 


lill 


^!^m 


i 


MM' 


!    " 


...    I 


hah 


'III  in 


fclli 


258 


TffE  ISLAND  OF  f   RE. 


more  varied  and  beautiful,  on  account  of  the  clear- 
ness of  the  atmosphere,  and  the  variety  of  the  moun- 
tain, valley,  and  island  scenery. 

"  The  view  from  this  mountain  must  extend  more 
than  two  hundred  miles,  showing  a  visible  horizon 
of  at  least  fifteen  hundred  miles  in  circuit.  Most 
fortunately  the  day  was  beautifully  clear  ;  and  after 
the  first  half-hour  on  the  summit,  except  a  bank  of 
clouds  in  the  east,  the  whole  country  was  visible. 
To  the  north-east,  seemingly  quite  below  us,  in  the 
valley  of  the  River  Tungnd,  was  a  landscape  of  tiny 
streams,  little  lakes,  green  meadows,  and  heath-clad 
hills.  One  small  la-i^e,  the  Groenavatn  (green  lake), 
was  shaped  like  the  moon  when  nearly  full,  and 
looked  scarcely  larger  than  a  saucer.  The  mountains 
to  the  south,  the  lofty  Tindfelle  and  Eyjafeli*;  Jo- 
kuUs,  rose  up  in  separate  knol)H  or  peak**,  the  latter 
justifying  its  name  of  '  Mountain  of  Inlands.'  " 

Tourists  who  visit  Mount  Heklu  sometimes  travel 
towards  the  south-west  coant,  visiting  the  Ruyker 
Springs,  and  the  Sulpl^  ar  Mountain,  another  of  Na- 
ture's exhaustless,  magnificent,  yet  terror-exciting 
laboratories  of  this  mineral.  .     , 

Tk»  road  for  some  distance  lies  through  a  H<>-(^alh'd 
Icelandic  forest,  where,  in  addition  to  the  usual  birch 
and  willow  trtes,  there  are  bushes  bearing  a  siaall 
berry,  called  the  "blueberv),"  the  only  thing  of  the 
fruit  kind  in  Iceland.  "  Here,  too,  is  found  that  most 
beautiful  ot  all  the  shrubs  and  floWers  of  Iceland, 
the  frac^raut  heath." 

This  beautiful  carpet  of  the  lava  is  one  of  the  first 
plants  found  growing  upon  the  thin  lava-beds,  and 


A  FAMOUS  CAVERN. 


25$ 


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nting 

alK'tl 
l)ivch 

laall 
>f  the 

most 

3  first 
Vi  and 


covers  nearly  one-half  of  Iceland.  The  course  of 
the  journey  brings  us  to  the  Thiors{i's  banks,  where 
we  behold  a  turbulent  and  mighty  current,  sweeping 
with  resistless  force  to  the  southern  coast.  The  river 
is  larger  than  the  Hudson  at  Newburgh,  swift  as  an 
arrow,  white  with  clay  from  the  mountains,  and  cold 
as  ice,  —  in  appearance  a  most  formidable  stream. 
Travellers  are  ferried  across  in  a  frail  skiff,  the  guide 
sitting  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  and  leading  the 
horses  as  they  swim  behind-  Travelling  directly 
down  the  Thiorsa,  and  from  thence  Joaig  the  south- 
ern coast,  we  gain  a  fine  view  in  clear  whither  of 
Eyjafelle  and  Tindfelle  Jokuls-  which  stand  in 
bold  relief  against  the  eastern  sky. 

This  route  brings  the  traveller  to  Skulholt,  situated 
in  the  forks  of  the  Bruar4  and  the  Hvita  Rivers. 
Though  dignified,  on  some  of  our  maps,  with  the  title 
of  the  "  capital "  of  Iceland,  it  is  simply  a  farm ; 
aid  contains  the  ruins  of  a  smitll  cathedral  church, 
wbere  one  of  the  bishops  of  Iceland  used  to  ofl&ciate. 

The  tourist  north  will  be  likely  to  visit  the 
famous  cavern  at  Sturtsheller.  Here,  according  to 
the  Voluspa,  Surtur,  the  demon  "  who  is  one  day  to 
destroy  the  universe  with  fire,"  had  his  abode. 
Bandits,  during  the  early  centuries,  found  a  safe  hid- 
ing-place within  it«  gloomy  j>ortals.  Of  the  savage 
and  tragical  life  here,  we  have  som^  account  in  writ- 
ten traditions.  Among  these  is  the  story  of  the 
Cave-men ;  a  mixture,  doubtless,  of  fact  and  fiction. 
The  lawless  heroes  of  the  narrative  were  fifteen  pu- 
pils of  the  school  at  Holar.  Having  murdered  an 
old  woman,  they  fled  with  her  daughters,  seeking  a 


r 


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iti-T 


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nm 


.;   , 


260 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


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secure  solitude.  At  length  they  made  Sturtshellir 
their  lonely  retreat.  They  became  an  organized  band, 
foraging  among  the  flocks  and  herds  of  the  nearest 
farms.  They  appeared  at  the  parish  church  at 
Kalmanstunga,  armed,  placing  themselves  back  to 
back,  in  two  rows  in  the  nave,  for  mutual  de- 
fence. Drowning  their  own  children,  they  rarely,  if 
ever,  murdered  the  peasants,  who  lived  in  constant 
fear  of  death  at  their  liands.  To  get  rid  of  these 
Cave-men,  a  courageous  young  man  joined  the  band, 
learned  their  haunts  and  habits,  and  betrayed  them. 
After  various  fortunes,  feigning  sickness,  he  was  left 
alone  one  day,  with  their  women ;  when,  mounting  a 
horse  grazing  at  the  mouth  of  the  cavern,  he  gal- 
loped home.  He  soon  after  led  an  armed  force  to 
their  wayside  camping-ground,  and  fell  upon  them 
wliile  asleep.  After  a  deadly  fight,  the  outlaws  w^ere 
slain.  The  victors  then  marched  to  the  cavern,  only 
to  have  another  bloody  encounter  with  the  women, 
who  defended  themselves  bravely  by  hurling  down 
firebrands,  and  pouring  water  upon  them.  They  at 
last  were  also  conquered.  The  daring  young  leader 
lost  a  foot  in  this  adventure,  but  won  the  highest  ad- 
miration of  his  countrymen. 

About  midway  from  Husafell  to  Sturtsheller  *  is  the 
depopulated  village  of  Kahnanstunga ;  a  sad  memo- 
rial of  famine  and  disease,  which  have  left  only  a 
single  farmhouse,  the  ruins  of  a  stone  church,  and 
an  overgrown  burying-ground,  with  its  scarcely  visi- 
ble hillocks.  What  tales  of  lonely  agony,  death,  and 
hasty  interment,  had  they  voices,  could  they  tell  us ! 

The  proprietor  of  the  byre  is  a  stone-cutter,  carv- 

*  See  page  205. 


s  the 
icino- 
mly  a 
,  and 
r  visi- 

,  and 
11  us ! 

carv- 


CAVE    OF    STURSHELLlUk.  — Page  259. 


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REGIONS  OF  SOLITUDE. 


261 


Ing  headstone  .  for  the  graves  of  his  remote  country-  ^ 
men,  a  silversmith,  and  a  genius  generally. 

Not  far  beyond  his  home,  rolls  swiftly  a  branch  oi 
the  White  Kiver,  boi«lering  a  forest  many  of  whose 
birches  are  eight  feet  in  height;  so  that  here,  at 
least,  it  may  be  said,  Icelandic  woods  '•'•wave  their 
boughs  in  the  breeze."  *       •  ' 

Between  Reykholt  and  Miklaholt,  along  a  wild  and 
unfrequented  path,  westward  on  the  southern  line 
of  the  Snaefells  Syssel,  travelled  only  by  sheep-hunt- 
ers, and  amid  scenery  in  which  "  new  forms  and 
new  colors  present  themselves  at  every  moment,  the 
red,  vitrified-looking  inland  sea  tossed  hither  and  . 
thither  by  the  once  surging  vapors  beneath,  the  sur- 
face of  its  waves  blo\7n  ^''^to  a  thousand  fantastic 
shapes,  as  if  regiments  of  demon  glass-blowers  had 
chosen  this  as  the  scene  of  their  labors,'"  rises  Eld-  ', 
borg,  or  the  Fortress  of  Fire.  It  is  an  old  crater, 
eighteen  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  resembling  the 
turret  of  a  monitor  —  "a  sand-and-cind-jr  "  height, 
encircled  by  a  rampart,  and  a  relic  of  fiery  floods. 

There  are  regions  of  unvisited  solitude,  where  re- 
pose crystal  lakes,  into  which  the  curious  traveller 
sometimes  looks,  the  home  only  of  wild  birds,  among 
which  the  eagle  holds  his  kingly  eyrie.  They  are 
called  after  him.  Eagle-tarns.  On  the  way  north- 
ward from  Thingvalla,  is  Grettis-Tak,  and  the  mys- 
terious Thorirsdale.  The  Tak  is  a  massive  slab  of 
stone,  with  an  aperture  evidently  intended  for  guid- 
ance to  the  mountain  depths  of  dreariest  seclusion 
it  is  possible  to  imagine.  Fable  says  Grettir  carried 
that  rock,  which  he  had  perforated,  too  heavy  for  a 


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262 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


regiment  of  men  to  lift,  and  put  it  in  position,  to 
point  out  the  vale  which  no  mortal  ever  entered  but 
himself.  It  was  one  of  the  outlaw's  most  inaccessi- 
ble hiding-places.  Repeated  efforts  have  been  made 
by  tourists  to  reach  it,  but  in  vain.  No  path  to  this 
Ikcrmitage  of  Grettir  has  yet  rewarded  the  toilsome 
tilimbing,  and  perilous  descent,  of  the  few  who  have 
attempted  to  discover  what  all  believe  to  exist,  —  an 
inaccessible  retreat,  whose  utter  loneliness  it  makes 
us  shucider  to  think  of  as  a  human  abode,  over  which 
howled  during  long,  long  nights,  arctic  storms. 

Near  the  extreme  point  of  north-western  travel,  is 
the  mud-caldron  of  Nama-Hid,  one  of  Iceland's  great- 
est wonders.  Imagine  yourself  standing  upon  a 
winding  path  along  a  mountain  cleft,  and  belov/,  "  a 
plain  of  mud  in  motion,  a  whirlpool  bounded  by 
a  lava-field ;  the  mountains  steaming  to  their  very- 
tops,  and  depositing  sulphur,  the  primrose  hue  of 
which  gives  extraordinary  brightness  to  the  land- 
scape. From  the  plain,  vast  clouds  of  steam  rise  into 
the  air,  and  roll  in  heavy  whirls  before  the  wind, 
whilst  a  low  drumming  sound  proceeding  from  them 
tells  of  the  fearful  agencies  at  work." 

A  day's  ride  farther,  and  the  thunder  of  Dettifoss 
breaks  upon  the  ear.  This  is  a  plunge  of  the  Jiik- 
ulsa,  probably  the  largest  river  in  Iceland,  two  hun- 
dred feet,  in  several  commingling  torrents,  into 
cavernous  depths.  Among  these  they  are  hurled  as 
if  in  wrath  by  demons  there,  upward  and  outward, 
with  blending  thunders.  Utter  desolation  and  awful 
grandeur,  defying  speech,  declare  the  few  who  have 
Been  the  cataract,  make  the  scene  one  which  is  unsur- 
passed on  the  globe  in  terrible  sublimity. 


LOOK  TOWARDS  THE  SUORE. 


263 


,  to 

but 

issi- 

iade 

this 

iome 

have 

—  an 

lakes 

^rhich 

irel,  is 
great- 

3on    a 
v/,  "  a 
ed  by 
r  very 
^ue  of 
land- 
se  into 
wind, 
them 


ttifoss 
Jok- 
o  hun- 
s,   into 
led  as 
tward, 
d  awful 
10  have 
s  unsur- 


le 


ir 
a 


Besides  the  Jokulsa,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
miles  long,  the  Thorsa  and  Ilvita  are  fine  rivers. 
South  of  the  Vatna  Jokull,  where  the  Jokulsa  rises, 
torrents  two  miles  wide,  only  eight  or  ten  miles  from 
the  sea,  "  whirl  down  with  fiightful  velocity,  carry- 
ing with  them  masses  of  ice  dislodged  from  the  gla- 
ciers which  are  their  feeders,  and  volumes  of  sand 
from  the  volcanic  mountains  which  they  drain." 

These  streams  are  forded  by  swimming  the  ponies, 
or  by  the  usual  ferries,  often  in  frail  boats,  attended 
with  more  or  less  danger. 

The  fords  are  changing  constantly  by  the  force  of 
the  currents,  and  what  they  bring  from  the  heights 
among  which  the/  rise.  This  fact  illustrates  the  rule 
of  safety  for  travelers :  "  Never  enter  a  stream  until 
your  guide  has  tried  it." 

Baring-Gould,  while  crossing  one  of  the  swift 
rivers,  became  bewildered  in  the  angry  flood  through 
which  his  horse  was  floundering,  and  swayed  in  his 
saddle.  At  this  crisis  of  aftairs,  the  shout  of  his 
guide  ahead  reached  his  ear,  "  Look  towards  the 
shore  I  "  He  obeyed ;  and,  fixing  his  eye  on  the  dis- 
tant bank,  he  soon  regained  his  composure,  and  safely 
reached  it.  The  moral  significance  of  the  incident 
made  a  deep  impression.  And  surely,  to  Christian 
thought,  nothing  can  be  more  beautifully  suggestive 
of  the  calming,  cheering  power,  amid  the  ''  deep 
waters  "  of  earthly  trial,  of  faith's  clear  look  towards 
the  celestial  shore. 

The  dogs  of  Iceland,  like  the  people,  have  some 
singular  ways  of  their  own.  We  find  an  account  by 
a  traveller  half  a  century  or  more  ago,  of  a  dog- 


I 


264 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


tournament,  which,  it  seems,  is  of  common  occur- 
rence. Across  a  river  near  Reykjavik  was  the  field 
reached  by  a  bridge,  and  also  by  stepping-stones  in 
the  bed  of  the  stream.  One  morring  two  dozen 
dogs  were  seen  running  from  the  capital,  ana  other 
parts  of  the  country,  towards  these  crossings ;  among 
them,  one  larger  than  the  rest,  who  acted  as  leader, 
taking  his  position  on  a  mound  in  the  centre  of  the 
canine  crowd.  After  a  momentary  pause,  three  or 
four  scampered  away  a  hundred  feet,  or  so,  and  com- 
menced a  sham  fight.  After  a  skirmish,  they  re- 
turned ;  and  others  succeeded  them,  till  all  but  the 
captain,  who  remained  unmoved,  had  their  share  in 
the  pastime.  For  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  engage- 
ments were  continued  good-naturedly,  to  the  music 
of  incessant  barking ;  when  they  quietly  dispersed, 
and  each  took  his  own  homeward  way. 

Of  the  forests  which  were  once  evidently  of  consid- 
erable growth  and  extent,  as  on  portions  of  our  own 
Cape  Cod  and  Plymouth  Beach,  where  are  now  only 
sandbanks,  we  find,  besides  stunted  bushes,  here 
and  there  an  exceptional  tree.  Near  the  gover- 
nor's residence  is  a  sohtary  example ;  and,  at  Ar- 
keuyri,  a  mountain-ash,  twenty-five  feet  high. 

The  flora  is  larger  and  more  beautiful  than  one 
unacq^aintod  with  it  could  imagine.  Modest  yet 
lovely  blossoms  greet  the  summer  tourist,  along  the 
valleys,  and  on  the  Uttle  cottage-lawns ;  while  it  fur- 
nishes the  Icelander  with  dyes  in  considerable  variety, 
and  nourishing  plants,  especially  lichens,  for  food. 

The  pink  laniba-grass  and  white  tassels  of  the  cot- 
ton thrush  are  among  the  common  ornamental  work 
of  the  brief  summer  landscape. 


f  Bl: 


lone 

yet 

the 

Ifur- 

^ty, 

cot- 
rork 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Calamities.  —  Plagw  a.  — Black-Death  —Famine.  —  Pirates.  — Volcar 
noes  and  Earthquakes.  —  Efifect  on  the  Condition  and  Character 
of  the  People.  —  Discouragement  and  Decline.  —  A  Revolu  tion.  — 
A  Petitioner. 

PRE-EMINENT  in  scenery,  historic  position, 
constitutional  liberty,  language,  and  character, 
Iceland  has  also  no  rival  in  the  number  and  variety 
of  the  terrible  calamities  which  have  tried  the  faith, 
courage,  and  resources  of  this  true-hearted  people. 

In  1402  a  plague,  whose  origin  and  deadly  nature 
are  unexplained,  in  two  years  mowed  down,  it  is 
recorded,  two-thirds  of  the  entire  population.  This 
unexampled  mortality  was  followed  by  so  severe 
weather,  that  a  tenth  part  of  the  cattle  died.  An- 
other epidemic,  towards  the  close  of  the  century, 
made  similar  desolation. 

The  small-pox  had  its  days  of  ghastly  havoc.  But 
the  most  malignant  of  all  the  forms  of  pestilence 
walking  in  the  darkness  of  Iceland's  long  nights, 
and  the  destruction  wasting  at  noonday,  was  the 
Black-death,  whose  touch  was  corruption  and  decay ; 
and  which,  it  is  supposed,  depopulated  once  prosper- 
ous Greenland. 

The  failure  of  the  small  crops  by  unusual  frosts 
and  storms,  and  the  destruction  of  fish  by  marine 

28  265 


Ilil'i'^WH 


^U 


fi^'il  . 


r,        =' 


'4 


200 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


:  :■  i 


earthquakes  and  eruptions,  have  also  shrivelled  to 
awful  death  thousands  during  a  single  year. 

What  imagination  can  form  a  true  picture  of  such 
a  work  of  the  destroying  angel,  during  days  which 
have  only  a  noon-time  of  sunlight?  —  the  dead 
carried  out  to  burial  in  their  lava-graves  beneath  the 
gloomy  shadows  of  mountains,  the  way  lit  up  by  au- 
roral flames,  cold  moonbeams,  or  only  the  glimmering 
liglits  amid  the  storm,  carried  in  living  hands. 

The  piratical  invasions  of  this  solitary  isle  had, 
from  the  beginning,  been  frequent  from  distant 
tribes  and  realms,  including  England  and  France, 
plundering  and  ravaging  the  Westman  Islands,  and 
also  the  mainland.  The  most  frightful  descent  was 
in  1627,  when  a  large  Algerine  force  coasted  along 
the  southern  boundaries,  bearing  away  whatever 
they  found  as  spoils,  murdering  the  inhabitants,  and 
carrying  into  wretched  captivity  four  hundred  men 
and  women.  When,  nine  years  afterwards,  the 
Danish  king  offered  a  ransom,  only  thirteen  saw 
their  native  land,  out  of  thirty-seven  found  alive. 
The  unwritten  historj-  of  the  horrors  of  that  slavery 
will  not  be  known  this  side  the  "  grand  assize  "  of 
ail  nations. 

The  greatest  and  most  startling  wonder  of  Ice- 
land, after  all,  is  its  volcanic  condition  through  the 
ages  since  the  hour  of  its  birth  ;  the  entire  island 
steaming,  smoking,  and  often  quaking,  with  its  fre- 
quent outflows  of  the  fiery  flood.  These  tremen- 
dous forces  constantly  menace  the  people  with  de- 
struction through  the  prison  which  they  created, 
their  thunders   of   unrest,   tongues  of   flame,  aDd 


ER  OPT  IONS. 


267 


cloudy  columns,  forever  heard  and  seen  throughout 
the  land. 

In  English  and  Danish  archives,  are  records  of 
terrific  eruptions  as  far  back  as  the  year  1300 ;  and 
no  one  can  tell  us  what  terrors,  before  that  date, 
went  abroad  from  fell  and  jokul,  along  the  inhab- 
ited valleys. 

We  have,  however,  authentic  illustration  of  what 
has  substantially  been  the  repeated  calamities  of  Ice- 
land by  fire,  in  the  record  made  from  personal  ob- 
servation, by  Chief- Justice  Stephenson.  This  was 
during  the  summer  of  1788,  in  the  Skaptafields  Sys- 
sel. 

The  spring  had  been  remarkably  "  delightful,  with 
soft  breezes  from  the  south,"  and  vegetation,  luxuri- 
ant in  the  month  of  May,  was  brightened  by  "  the 
many  flowers  ;  "  so  that  "  all  rejoiced  in  the  prospect 
of  a  fruitful  summer  and  an  abundant  harvest." 

But,  "  towards  the  latter  end  of  May,  a  bluish  and 
light  smoke  was  seen  floating  along  the  surface  of 
the  earth."  With  the  coming  of  June,  fears  sad- 
dened the  faces  of  the  entire  population  of  the  Sys- 
sel,  as  they  walked  upon  the  waves  of  increasingly 
frequent  and  severe  earthquakes,  especially  in  the 
morning  and  evening.  On  the  8th  a  vast  bank 
of  smoky  cloud  stretched  across  the  heavens,  scat- 
tering showers  of  sand  and  ashes  upon  the  earth, 
and  making  darkness,  beneath  its  ominous  wings,  so 
deep,  "  white  paper  could  not  be  distinguished  when 
held  against  the  wall."  The  "  shocks  and  roarings 
were  like  the  meeting  of  unnumbered  cataracts ; 
several  fire-spouts  were  seen  rising  from  the  moun- 


i;  w 


»r 


I'll 


268 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


i 


!  I 


I  ' 

i 


r 


I*:'!*'!. 


■*o 


I 


III     ! 


tains  towards  the  nojth ;  and  the  black  cloud  be 
came  more  lofty  everj  day,  while  earthquakes,  peaU 
of  thunder,  Jind  strange  sounds,  increased." 

On  June  12  "  a  dreadful  fire-stream  came  pour- 
ing down  from  Skaptar-Jokelm  (an  ice-mountain) 
with  the  greatest  irapetuosity,  like  a  foaming  sea, 
into  the  Skaptaa.  This  river  everywhere  ran 
through  deep  valleys,  and  lofty  cliffs,  which  were  in 
many  parts  from  four  to  five  hundred,  or  even  six 
hundred  feet  high  ;  yet  the  fire-stream  not  only  filled 
up  these  cavities,  but  actually  overflowed  a  consid- 
erable tract  of  land  on  both  sides.  It  is  only  in  a 
few  places  that  there  are  still  to  be  seen  above  the 
lava,  some  of  the  tops  of  the  highest  mountains  that 
formerly  enclosed  the  Skaptaa." 

Then  the  atmosphere  became  thick  with  a  suffo- 
cating smoke  of  most  offensive  smell,  "  concealing 
the  face  of  the  sun,  and  absorbing  its  brilliant  and 
beneficent  rays-  Seldom  could  this  luminary  be 
seen  through  the  thick  and  sulphurous  steam ;  and 
when,  now  and  11. en,  it  became  visible,  it  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  globe  of  gloomy  and  blood-red  color." 
Torrents  of  fire  surged  along  the  mountain  slopes, 
and,  by  flowing  into  chasms  and  caverns,  blew  up 
solid  liills  of  lava,  as  a  blast  of  powder  does  a  ledge 
of  granite.  Lightnings  played  incess'^itly  around 
the  horizon ;  between  which  and  the  towns  rose  lofty 
columns  of  fire,  moving  towards  each  other,  until 
they  stood  a  solid  wall  of  flame  extending  from  the 
lowering,  echoing  heavens,  to  the  torn,  scathed,  and 
shaken  earth. 

Mysterious    and    terrific   sounds   went  booming 


ERUPTIONS. 


269 


along  the  lighted  cliffs ;  while  homes,  horses  and 
cattle,  farm-lands,  and  churches,  were  no  more  than 
withered  leaves  in  a  conflagration,  before  the  hissing, 
broadening  tides  of  lava,  rushing  in  different  direc- 
tions for  scores  of  miles,  and  drying  up  rivers,  that, 
from  time  immemorial,  had  dashed  madly  to  the  sea. 
Wild-birds  and  fish  died  by  myriads  in  the  heated 
air,  and  disappearing  boiling  waters.      •       »     ■  •' 

A  farmer,  who  saw  the  approaching  flood  of  mol- 
ten lava,  hastened  to  remove  his  family  and  stock  to 
an  island  in  a  river,  only  to  see  them,  from  his  yet 
uninvaded  byre,  suddenly  wrapped  in  smoke  and 
steam  from  an  opening  crater,  and  all  perish  together. 
Think  of  lava-streams  six  hundred  feet  through  ! 

From  the  iron-like  plains,  fissures  opened,  and 
spouted  forth  the  liquid  fire ;  and  then  some  old 
crag  would  tremble  and  fall  with  a  crash,  reverberat- 
ing like  the  thunder  of  a  thousand  cannon,  while 
from  its  base  burst  forth  a  glowing  stream.  For 
weeks  the  sun,  like  gore-tinged  metal,  hung  in  the 
sky,  just  dipping  his  burning  forehead  at  night  below 
the  lurid  horizon. 

It  is  not  strange  that  '*  every  heart  was  filled  with 
the  greatest  terror,  and  the  poor  inhabitants  ex- 
pected every  moment  that  heaven  and  earth  would 
be  annihilated." 

In  West  Skaptafield,  "  where  all  the  most  fearful 
phenomena  in  nature  had  concentrated  themselves 
on  one  spot,  it  was  common  to  see  the  animals  run- 
ning about  the  pastures  as  if  in  a  state  of  madness : 
many  of  them,  unable  to  find  food,  or  even  shelter 
to  defend  them  from  the  surrounding  horrors, 
plunged  into  the  fire."  _^^  .  .^.^..^.^..-r..^^^-^-^^--^-^^-:: 


1 

T 

llf'J 


t 


i  i; 


ill 


w 

1  '"^^■^ 

i 

1 

lii' 

m 


i  ^ 


1 

{ 


"?    T 


ill 


270 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FTRE. 


The  destruction  which  followed  the  eruption,  un- 
rivalled in  all  recorded  horrors  of  volcanic  action, 
from  infected  air,  blasted  pasturage,  and  poisoned 
vegetation  of  every  kind,  mocks  the  power  of  lan- 
guage to  describe  in  ghastly  detail.  Famine  drove 
the  inhabitants  to  revolting  expedients  to  prolong 
Hfe.  Old  hides  of  animals  who  died  of  disease  were 
boiled  and  eaten.  Scurvy,  and  inflammatory  diseases 
which  are  nameless,  prevailed.  Swollen  limbs,  ul- 
cers, loosened  teeth,  decaying  tongues,  agonies,  and 
awful  death,  were  common.  ..^  .  ^ 

In  winter-time  the  earth  frozen  to  a  great  depth, 
together  with  physical  weakness,  made  burial  often 
impossible,  and  the  bodies  were  burned ;  and,  even 
when  shallow  graves  were  dug,  several  were  thrown 
into  a  common  burial-place,  and  scarcely  covered 
from  sight ;  these  mounds  of  death,  in  turn,  becom- 
ing centres  of  fatal  exhalations.  '      .....   v 

No  wholesome  food  could  be  obtained;  and  families 
wandered  homeless  and  starving  towards  the  coast, 
only  to  perish  at  length  beneath  the  pitiless  storm. 

A  few  figures  are  given  from  the  record  of  Chief- 
Justice  Stephensen,  whose  narrative,  ordered  by  the 
Danish  king,  with  all  its  strength  and  vividness,  is 
more  suggestive  to  the  imagination  by  the  clearly 
conscious  inability  to  describe  the  multiplied  terrors 
and  sufferings,  than  by  what  he  does  narrate  with 
conscientious  regard  to  truth. 

Nine  thousand  of  the  inhabitants  died,  and  not 
less  than  twenty  thousand  horses,  ten  thousand  cat- 
tle, and  over  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  sheep. 
K.  s  the  world  another  such  record,  among  so  small 
and  scattered  a  population  ? 


SUFFERINGS. 


271 


And  yet  the  degree  of  calmness  and  resignation 
of  Christian  faith  in  the  presence  of  the  overwhohn- 
ing  displays  of  Jehovah's  power,  and  cruel  visitations 
of  lawless  men,  were  never  surpassed,  if  ecpnilled, 
excepting  by  the  ancient  martyrs  on  the  rack  and  in 
the  flames.  A  dozen  or  more  seasons  of  devastation 
differing  in  extent,  and  destruction  of  life  and  prop- 
erty, besides  many  volcanic  eruptions  of  local  and 
unimportant  results  comparatively,  are  recorded  in 
the  past  four  hundred  years. 

It  is  no  marvel,  that  self-possession,  religious  rev- 
erence, and  resignation  should  stamp  the  character 
of  such  a  people. 

Of  these  almost  exterminating  visitations,  the  gen- 
ial, sympathetic  McKenzie  said  touchingly,  "They 
are  recorded  in  the  annals  of  Iceland  with  an  affect- 
ing and  almost  painful  simplicity.  No  attempts  are 
made  to  excite  a  sentimental  interest,  beyond  what 
Humanity  itself  would  yield  to  the  simple  story  of 
f»uch  suffering.  We  are  told  that  whole  families 
were  extinguished,  and  districts  depopulated,  by  the 
virulence  of  disease  ;  that  the  learned,  the  pious,  the 
wealthy,  and  the  powerful,  all  dropped  into  a  common 
g'^ave  ;  that  the  labors  of  industry  ceased  ;  that  genius 
and  literature  disappeared ;  and  that  the  wretched 
romnant  of  the  Icelanders,  scarcely  themselves  saved 
from  destruction,  sunk  into  a  state  of  apathy,  super- 
stition, and  ignorance.  In  pursuing  his  melancholy 
narrative,  the  historian  sometimes  looks  back  for  a 
moment  to  the  former  celebrity  and  splendors  of  his 
country ;  but  he  goes  no  farther,  and  all  beyond  is 
left  to  the  feelings  and  imagination  of  the  reader." 


M 


272 


THE   ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


Amid  the  physical  convulsions  described,  who 
would  think  a  civil  revolution  possible  in  Iceland, 
or  guess  how  it  could  occur  among  a  people,  in  ori- 
gin, language,  and  religious  faith,  a  unit,  and  uncom- 
plaining for  centuries  in  their  allegiance  to  a  foreign 
realm  ? 

During  the  war  of  1808,  between  England  and 
Denmark,  the  supplies  from  the  latter  country,  on 
which  the  Icelanders  necessarily  depended,  were 
largely  cut  off  by  the  superior  naval  force  of  the 
British  government.  In  these  ciicumstances  vhtuul 
neutrality  in  trade  was  clearly  desirable.  An  Eng- 
lish mercantile  house,  whose  financial  head  was 
Samuel  Phelps,  Esq.,  determined  to  open  traffic  in 
articles  of  common  need,  principally  barley-meal, 
potatoes,  and  salt;  assuming  that  business  relation 
to  the  island.  Jorgen  Jorgensen,  a  Dane  of  adven- 
turous career,  having  for  several  years  served  in  the 
British  navy,  and  then  in  the  Danish,  at  this  time  a 
paroled  prisoner  in  London,  was  the  acknowledged 
leader  of  the  expedition. 

January,  1809,  he  sailed  in  "  The  Clarence  "  from 
Liverpool  for  Iceland,  hoisting  American  colors,  and 
furnished  with  papers  of  the  same  nationality,  to 
sustain  the  apparent  position  of  neutrals.  The  under- 
taking was  heroic,  at  least,  in  midwinter  along  the 
arctic  line.  The  good  ship  arrived  safely,  but  the 
Danish  authorities  refused  permission  to  land  the 
cargo.  The  threat  of  seizing  a  brig  lying  at  anchor, 
and  opening  hostilities,  brought  them  to  terms.  At 
this  crisis  the  governor.  Count  Tramp,  returned 
from  Copenhagen,   where  he   had    passed    several 


A  RRVCLUTION. 


273 


oa 


months.  The  English  war-ship  "  Rover  "  juat  then 
came  up  the  harbor,  and  dropped  anchor  before  Reyk- 
javik. The  count  evidently  felt  the  force  of  this 
last  argument,  and  signed  articles  of  agreement, 
granting^  liberty  to  trade.  "  The  Margaret  and 
Ann,"  with  Mr.  Phelps  on  board,  arrived  from  Eng- 
land. Finding  the  treaty  had  not  been  published,  as 
stipulated,  while  the  proclamation  forbidding  the 
natives  to  trade  with  the  English  on  pain  of  death 
was  still  posted  in  the  streets,  on  the  26th  of  June, 
with  twelve  armed  men,  he  went  to  the  governor's 
house,  and  made  him  his  prisoner.  The  natives  who 
at  that  season  of  the  year  came  in  from  the  country 
like  wandering  nomads,  leaning  rn  their  iron-pointed 
alpenstocks,  us3d  for  walking  on  icy  slopes,  saw 
with  apparent  indifference  Count  Tramp  removed 
to  "  The  Margaret  and  Ann."  The  next  step  was 
a  proclamation  by  Jorgensen,  dissolving  Iceland's 
connection  with  Denmark,  restoring  a  republican 
government,  and  conferring  on  himself  supreme 
command.  A  battery  was  erected  on  the  shore,  and 
the  new  colors,  three  split  stock-fish  on  a  ground  of 
blue,  flung  out  to  the  breeze.  The  old  Icelandic 
banner  was  a  single  split  stock-fish,  environed  by  an 
oval  garland.  Mr.  Jorgensen's  little  game  of  revo- 
lution seemed  now  to  be  a  brilliant  success.  But 
just  then,  from  the  deck  of  the  governor's  prison,  he 
sees  the  British  war-sloop  "  Talbot,"  in  command 
of  the  Hon.  Alexander  Jones,  coming  up  the  Fiord. 
He  had  touched  at  Havneford,  and  listened  to  the 
bitter  complaints  of  Danish  merchants  over  the  out- 
rage at  the  capital. 


-i'ti 


'ii-i 


■':<! 


liHf  I 


274 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIHE. 


And  lo  I  a  sudden  collapse  of  the  bloodless  rerolu- 
tiou.  Count  Tramp  is  released,  and  goes  to  London 
to  spread  bis  grievance  before  the  English  govern- 
ment ;  and  Jorgensen  is  sent  home  to  give  an  account 
of  himself  before  the  same  august  tribunal.  Iceland 
returned  to  her  allegiance  to  the  Danish  crown  :  hav- 
ing never  had,  in  all  her  history  since  the  feud's  of 
the  heroic  period,  a  baptism  of  blood.  We  think  no 
other  nation  or  tribe  can  furnish  the  world  such  a 
record  of  a  thousand  years. 

The  first,  and  probably  the  only  petition  received 
by  the  revolutionary  government  of  the  island  is  so 
transparent  in  its  simplicity,  reveaUng  thiough  it  the 
absence  of  all  intentional  wrong,  with  a  high  sense 
of  honor  and  fidelity,  that  we  copy  it.  Without 
offering  the  shadow  of  an  apology  for  any  infringe- 
ment of  that  pure  morality  presented  to  the  world 
in  the  precepts  and  example  of  the  great  Teacher, 
we  think  the  peasant's  appeal  a  model  of  its  kind,  in 
its  spirit,  and  the  beauty  of  expression.  It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  Thcrlevsen,  by  the  imprisonment 
of  his  wife,  and  by  mutual  understanding,  was  sepa- 
rated finally,  but  without  a  decree  oi  divorce.  Con- 
sequently he  could  not  have  a  legal  marriage.  It 
was  under  these  peculiar  embarrassments  that  he 
writes  from  his  secluded  home  for  relief. 

A  Petition  from  Biarne  Thorlevsen, 

Sheweth: 

That  in  the  year  1805,  my  wife,  Thorunn  Gnnn- 
laugsdotter,  was  sentenced  to  two  years*  labor  in  the 


A  NOVEL  PETITION. 


275 


'Vi 


Icelandic  workhouse,  only  for  the  simple  thing  of 
stealing  a  sheep,  which,  besides,  was  nothing  at  all 
to  me.  The  separation  which  took  place  according- 
ly, occasioned  that  I  was  compelled  to  take  a  young 
girl  as  my  housekeeper^  who  otherwise  much  recom- 
mended herself  by  her  ability  and  fidelity.  The 
consequence  of  these  circumstances  was,  that  the 
girl  produced  two  little  girls,  after  each  other,  whose 
fatl  r  I  am.  We  were  then  separated  by  order  of 
the  magistrates ;  and  in  this  manner  must  the  educa- 
tion of  two  innocent,  but  at  the  same  time  right 
handsome  little  girls  remain  neglected,  unless  she,  as 
mother,  in  conjunction  with  me,  as  father,  is  not 
hiiidered  from  following  the  irresi3tible  instinct/i  of 
nature  in  the  care  and  education  of  the  children. 
B"t  this  cannot  be  done  if  we  are  not  allowed  to 
marry;  and  I  humbly  beg  Mr.  Bishop  Videlin's 
declaration ;  so  much  the  more  so,  as  I  am  convinced 
of  the  justice  of  my  cause. 

I  also  commit  my  life  and  worldly  happiness  to 
your  excellency's  gracious  consideration. 

With  the  confidence  and  attachment  of  a  subject, 

BlABNE  ThORLEVSEN. 


'IJ'.i. 


BKRIDITAFELIi  witllf  H  BarDERSTBANB  SVSBEL, 

1st  August,  1809. 

To  his  Excellency,  Mr.  Jorgen  Jorgensen,  Protector  of  the  whole 
island  of  Iceland,  and  Cliief  Commander  by  sea  acd  land. 


if 


Upon  proper  inquiry,  the  bishop,  finding  that  Mrs. 
Thorlevsen  was  desirous  to  have  both  the  separation 
and  new  domestic  rolation  legalized,  issued  the  formal 


1     '  m 

■    'Ml 


hfl 


276 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


U  I 


decree ;  and  the  happy  little  family  were  re-united 
at  Skridnafell,  and  many  years  ago,  doubtless,  the 
parents  have  rested  in  the  quiet  burial-place  by  theii 
parish  church. 


CHAPTER  XXVin. 

The  Gathering  to  the  Millennial  Julbilee.  —  Tbe  Scenes  in  the  Bay, 
and  Stree'js  of  the  Capital.  —  The  King's  Arrival.  —  Banquet.  — 
People's  Festival.  —  The  Visit  to  Thingvalla.  — A  Grand  Occasion. 
—  Speeches.  —  Poetry.  —  New  Ensign.  —  The  Present  and  Future 
of  Iceland. 


REYKJAVIK  never  presented  a  mors  animated 
spectacle  than  on  the  morning  of  July  30, 1874. 
In  its  harbor  lay  six  frigates ;  a  Norwegian,  a  Swed- 
ish, a  Danish,  a  German,  and  two  French,  with  their 
national  colors  floating  in  the  breeze.  Twenty  small- 
er vessels  had  flung  out  their  flags. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  harbor,  lay  at  anchor 
tho  English  steamer  "  Albion,"  which  brought  the 
American  delegation  to  the  Jubilee  ;  and  it  included 
a^^  illustrious  trio,  —  C.  W.  Field,  Bayard  Taylor, 
and  Dr.  Hayes  the  arctic  explorer. 

Beyond,  and  on  either  hand,  the  myriad  sea-fowl 

seemed  to  sympathize  with  the  spirit  of  the  grand 

gala-day.      Eider-ducks,    puflBns,   terns,   gulls,   the 

skua,  and  the  meteor-like  falcon  were  cutting  the 

air  with  their  many-colored  winjs ;  while  boneath 

them  the  solan-goose  floated  with  the  heavy  swell 

which  succeeds   a  storm.      Their  screams    echoed 

among  the  cliffs,  in  a  wild  medley  of  arctic  music. 

On  the  beach,  and  along  the  clean,  lava-sanded 
34  m 


M 


!  !  r-'t- 1 


t»  I 


278 


ar/rjs:  island  of  fire. 


streets,  with  flagged  sidewalks,  running  from  the 
capital  to  the  hillsides,  throngs  of  Danes  and  Ice- 
landers were  waiting  an  event,  which,  during  a 
national  existence  of  a  thousand  years,  had  never 
occurred  before,  —  the  landing  of  a  reigning  king  on 
the  soil  of  Iceland.  Banners  hung  from  the  windows 
of  the  houses,  whose  yard-fences  had  been  newly 
painted  with  a  light  color,  while  in  the  windows 
bloomed  the  rose,  geranium,  and  mignonette.  The 
skies  alone  seemed  to  frown  on  the  scene,  as  if  they 
had  not  yet  become  reconciled  to  the  transfer  of  the 
republic  to  the  protection  of  a  throne. 

At  last  the  desired  signal  appeared  in  the  distance 
down  the  harbor ;  and,  soon  after,  the  masts  of  the 
royal  vessel  "  Jylland "  rose  above  the  bold  head- 
land ;  and  then  the  gayly-decked  ship  appeared,  and, 
with  a  flash  and  boom  of  the  cannon,  proclaimed  the 
approach  of  the  king  of  Denmark,  —  to  the  most  of 
the  spectators  the  first  sight  of  a  royal  frigate  bearing 
a  sovereign.  ^^ 

It  passed  slowly  between   the   foreign    frigates,  ' 
whose  ofiicers  were  on  deck  in  full  uniform,  with 
their  men ;  the  salutes  sending  their  echoes  far  away 
among  the  startled  sea-birds  along  the  coast.     The 
ship  dropped  anchor,  a  boat  glided  ashore,  and  Gov.  ' 
Finsen  was  soon  alongside  of  the  "  Jylland."     In  ^ 
another  moment  he  disappeared  over  the  frigate's 
rail,  into  the  presence  of  the  king.     The  commanders 
of  the  fleet  followed  him,  on  the  same  errand. 

Later  an  eight-oared  boat  pushed  out  from  the 
royal  frigate,  with  Christian  IX.  on  board ;  and,  not 
far  away,  the  American  party  urgea  their  rowers 


m 


KING   CHRISTIAN  THE  NINTH. 


279 


with  their  three  oars  to  keep  abreast,  at  least,  of 
the  king's  craft,  flying  arrow-like  to  the  shore. 

The  king  stepped  upon  the  royal  j^ior  prepared  for 
his  landing,  covered  with  a  crimson  canopy,  and  bor- 
dered with  a  double  row  of  garlanded  Danish  flags. 
When  he  reached  the  platform  to  which  it  sloped, 
the  authorities  met  him  with  their  brief  welcome. 
This  formal  reception  was  remarkably  quiet,  and 
quite  characteristic  of  the  people.  Led  by  the  gov- 
ernor, the  king,  his  son,  and  suite  moved  rapidly 
away,  followed  by  the  bishop  in  velvet  and  satin,  a 
snowy  Elizabethan  ruff,  and  a  high  hat,  attended  by 
the  clergy.  Behind  these  came  the  native  com- 
mittee, a  body  of  strong,  fresh-looking  men,  of  dig- 
nified bearing.  Reaching  the  lawn  in  front  of  the 
governor's  residence,  the  crowd  gave  him  the  first 
rousing  cheer;  their  unsensational  lives  just  begin- 
ning to  warm  up  with  the  excitement  of  the  memor- 
able day  in  their  island's  long  history. 

King  Christian's  fine  face,  whose  prevailing  expres- 
sion was  that  of  honesty  and  kindly  feeling,  every 
moment  of  contact  with  the  people,  won  steadily 
their  admiring  confidence.  A  little  incident  illus- 
trated the  true  dignity  and  unaffected  sincerity  of 
his  character.  His  majesty  greeted  a  blind  old  man, 
taking  his  hand.  "  Who  are  you  ?  "  said  the  latter. 
"  I  am  called  Christian  the  Ninth,"  said  the  king. 
"  Well,  then,"  Bjarne  remarked,  "  if  you  take  a 
blind  man  by  surprise,  you  must  expect  to  hear  such 
questions." 

Soon  Madam  Finsen  appeared,  "  dressed  in  simple 
black  silk,  without  any  ornaments."    Her  presenta* 


i^&.  i 


r  I 


,i  f 


>n 


I  iiiiii  I 


280 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


tion  to  royalty  was  the  perfection  of  dignity  and 
graco. 

Then  the  bishop  and  other  dignitaries,  advancing 
from  the  foot  of  the  garden,  led  by  a  scarlet-coated 
chamberlain,  entered  the  governor's  residence. 

In  the  crowd  outside  were  seen  a  few  of  the  an- 
cient costumes,  mingled  with  the  prevailing  modern 
styles  of  dress. 

Many  of  the  women  "  wore  square  bodices  of 
some  dark  color,  a  gown  with  many  plaits  about  the 
waist,  with  bright  blue  or  red  aprons.  Nearly  all 
had  a  flat  cap,  or,  rather,  a  circular  piece  of  black 
cloth,  on  the  top  of  the  head,  with  a  long  black  tas- 
sel on  one  side,  hanging  from  a  silver  or  gilded  cyl- 
indrical ring,  an  inch  or  two  in  length.  Some  of  the 
girls  had  their  hair  braided,  but  many  wore  it  loose  ; 
and  one  maiden's  magnificent  pale-yellow  mane  sug- 
gested a  descent  from  Brynhilde.  The  men  showed 
only  two  colors,  —  the  brown  of  their  wadmal  coats 
and  trousers,  and  the  ruddy  tan  of  their  faces.  Few 
of  them  are  handsome,  and  their  faces  are  grave  and 
undemonstrative  ;  but  they  inspire  confidence  by  the 
simple  strength  expressed  in  the  steady  blue  eye,  and 
the  firm  set  of  the  lips.  There  were  plenty  of  tawny 
or  piebald  ponies,  with  manes  like  lions,  in  the 
streets." 

While  the  king  is  resting  in  the  cheerful  hospi- 
tality of  Gov.  Finsen's  home,  we  turn  to  see  and 
hear  who  came,  and  what  they  brought  to  the 
jubilee  of  a  thousand  years  since  Naddod's  colony 
built  their  habitations  on  the  island. 

Among  the  large  number  of  foreigners  besides  the 


FOREIGN  CELEBRITIES. 


281 


American  delegation,  which  includes  Mr.  Murat  Hal- 
stead,  England  has  sent  Mr.  William  II.  Gladstone,  son 
of  the  late  premier ;  Mr.  George  Browning,  secretary 
of  the  Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Fine  Arts ; 
Mr.  Eirik  Magnu  jn,  one  of  the  Hbrarians  of  the 
University  of  Cambridge ;  Dr.  David  Ker,  of  *'  The 
London  Daily  News,"  and  many  others.  From  the 
Scandinavian  lands  have  come  a  bmall  host  of  au- 
thors and  artists  and  students,  including,  besides  those 
already  mentioned,  the  poets  Karl  Andersen  and 
Nordal  Rolfsen,  the  marine  painters  Sorensen  and 
Boll,  the  antiquary  Worsaae,  and  the  Danish  critic, 
Richard  Kaufmann.  The  *'  Pester  Lloyd,"  one  of  the 
chief  journals  of  Hungary,  commissioned  one  of  its 
editors.  Dr.  Max  Nordau,  to  be  present  at  the  pro- 
ceedings. Even  "farthest  Ind"  has  its  represen- 
tative, in  the  person  of  Dr.  G.  W.  Leitner,  head  of 
the  government  college  at  Lahore,  and  editor  of  the 
"  India  Public  Opinion." 

The  collection  of  books  sent  to  the  National  Li- 
brary of  Iceland  by  American  authors  and  scholars, 
as  a  contribution  in  connection  with  the  celebration, 
was  unexpectedly  large.  Mr.  Henry  Braem,  the 
Danish  consul  at  New  York,  generously  forwarded, 
at  his  own  expense,  no  fewer  than  twenty-two  cases 
and  twelve  packages,  given  by  Harvard  College, 
Yale  College,  Cornell  University,  the  University  of 
Wisconsin,  by  the  State  libraries  at  Albany  and  Har- 
risburg,  and  by  the  cities  of  Boston,  Providence, 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  &c.  Numerous  packages 
were  also  sent  forward,  either  directly,  by  way  of 
Scotland,  or  through  the  Smithsonian   Institution. 


282 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


i::''i 


From  England,  the  most  important  gift  was  that  of 
the  University  of  Oxford,  consisting  of  the  publica- 
tions of  the  Clarendon  Press;  a  series  of  standard 
works,  numerous  enough  to  constitute  a  library  of 
themselves. 

The  old  Scandinavian  spirit  had  responded  during 
the  summer,  wherever  the  descendants  of  the  North- 
men lived,  to  the  appeal  made  by  the  approaching 
millennial  to  their  historic  pride.  While  Norwegian 
authors  and  societies  republished  ancient,  and  added 
new  memorials  of  Iceland's  former  greatness,  public 
meetings  were  called,  and  addresses  voted  to  its  peo- 
plg.  Universities  appointed  delegates ;  and  even  the 
Norwegian  Parliament  passed  enthusiastically  the 
motion  to  forward  their  formal  congratulations.  Nor 
was  our  own  land,  which  absorbs  "  every  kindred, 
^ongue,  and  people,"  wanting  in  the  Norse  blood, 
and  its  quickened  flow  in  prospect  of  the  millennial. 
A  celebration  was  appointed  and  observed  at  Mil- 
waukee, an  account  of  which  is  given  in  another 
chapter.  .„,; 

.,  The  Lutheran  bishop  of  Iceland,  Petursson,  culti- 
vated and  finished  gentleman ;  Herr  Thorberg,  gov- 
ernor of  the  southern  district;  and  the  faculty  of 
the  university,  with  inferior  officials,  —  spared  no 
possible  attentions  to  make  our  American  delegation 
at  home  and  happy  in  their  visit.  ;  v«i  y^-   -»-^ 

The  prevailing  languages  in  conversation,  between 
the  inhabitants  and  foreigners,  were  French,  Danish, 
and  English ;  the  latter  more  frequently  employed 
by  the  ladies,  who  spoke  it  with  "  fluency  and  ele- 
gance," and  the  first-named  by  the  gentlemen.    All 


t     'ill 


THE  MILLENNIAL. 


283 


classes  ace  sensitive  on  the  single  point,  recognized 
equality,  whatever  the  outward  relation  for  the  time. 
It  is  the  grand  old  Gothic  independence  and  self- 
respect,  which  demands  the  regard  for  his  humanity 
and  its  rights  claimed  by  another,  unaffected  by  the 
trappings  and  badges  of  merited  or  unmerited  dis- 
tinction. 

Sunday  morning,  Aug.  2,  dawned  gloriously  upon 
the  island,  after  the  storm  of  previous  days. 

The  distant  jokuls,  through  the  marvellously 
transparent  air,  lifted  their  crowns  of  empurpled 
white ;  beneath  which,  tinged  with  brown,  their  dark 
sides  sloped  away,  like  majestic  robes,  into  shadows 
softened  with  the  golden  light.  The  harbor  presented 
a  fairy  scene.  The  flags  of  a  dozen  nationalities  flut- 
tered in  the  breeze ;  even  "  the  fishing-smacks  were 
gay  with  bunting,"  the  interlinked  banners  all  radi- 
ant with  the  splendors  which  played  upon  their  ever- 
changing  folds. 

It  can  scarcely  create  wonder,  that,  on  such  an 
anniversary,  the  sabbath  lost  its  usual  quiet,  and, 
with  a  subdued  festivity,  presented  the  stu-  and  ani- 
mation of  a  national  jubilee. 

Among  the  banners  flying  from  every  house  on 
shore,  was  conspicuous  "  Young  Iceland's  "  standard, 
supplanting  the  Danish  stock-fish ;  its  blended  colors, 
white,  red,  and  blue,  with  the  lordly  falcon  embroi- 
dered in  the  centre. 

At  half-past  ten  o'clock  the  crowd  began  to  move 
towards  the  open  door  of  the  cathedral.  The  build- 
ing id  plain,  with  a  tower,  and  cMme  of  bells.  On 
this  great  occasion  the  relics  of  the  dress  of  olden 
time  re-appeared. 


f  I  1 


!  -J 


.'iiJii:-.! 


I-  tl 
.'  '1 


284 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


**  The  open,  grassy  square  around  the  old  building 
was  covered  with  picturesque  groups  of  people  ;  tlie 
lake  in  the  rear  of  the  town  glittered  in  the  sun, 
and  the  high  peaks  of  Keylur  slept  in  the  blue  dis- 
tance. Genuine  Icelandic  costumes  appeared  at  last, 
and  original  and  graceful  they  were.  The  women 
wore  white  helmets  of  a  curious  pattern ;  the  horn 
curving  over  in  front,  six  inches  above  the  head,  the 
base  richly  embroidered  with  gold,  and  a  white  veil 
thrown  over  all,  and  floating  upon  the  shoulders. 
They  had  also  closely-fitting  jackets  of  dark  cloth, 
heavily  braided  with  gold  or  silver,  and  broad  belts 
of  silver  filagree  work.  Not  more  than  half  a  dozen 
of  the  men,  in  all,  wore  the  old  national  costume. 
It  consists  of  a  jacket  and  knee-breeches  of  dark- 
gray  homespun  cloth,  stockings  of  the  same  cloth, 
sealskin  shoes,  and  a  round  hat,  with  the  brim  turned 
up.  ,  The  only  ornament  is  a  bow  of  red  ribbon  at 
the  knee." 

The  royal  party,  followed  by  foreign  naval  officers, 
soon  entered  the  church,  the  choir  singing  an 
anthem,  ten  having  been  composed  for  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  chandeliers  flung  their  light  upon  the  altar, 
and  from  gallery  pillars  festooned  with  wreaths  of 
Iceland's  mountain  heather.  A  wreath  of  flowers 
encircled  the  beautiful  marble  font  given  by  Thor- 
waldsen,  formerly  kept  at  Holar.  The  liglifc-red 
walls  and  dark  panelling  of  the  audience-room, 
enlivened  by  these  simple  decorations,  gave  an 
impressive  air,  whose  harmony  with  the  day,  place, 
and  ceremonies,  was  felt  by  all. 


ICELAND'S   TnOUSAND    TEARS. 


285 


lilding 
e ;  tlie 
e  sun, 
ae  dis- 
at  last, 
women 
e  horn 
ad,  tho 
ite  veil 
ulders. 
cloth, 
d  belts 
I  dozen 
>stume. 
f  dark- 
cloth, 
turned 
bon  at 

ifficers, 
|ng    an 
occa- 


The  usual  order  of  Lutheran  worship  now  opened 
before  a  crowded  assembly,  but  only  a  fraction  of 
the  gathered  multitude. 

"  At  the  same  hour  the  same  service,  with  its 
striking  lesson  for  the  day,  —  parts  of  the  Ninetieth 
Psalm,  —  was  celebrated  in  more  than  two  hundred 
churches  throughout  the  island.  Bisho23  Petursson 
wore  a  pallium  presented  ages  ago,  by  one  of  the 
popes,  to  an  old  Icelandic  bishop ;  the  altar  ablaze 
with  candles  ;  and  the  verses,  *  Lord,  thou  hast  been 
our  dwelling-place  in  all  generations  :  for  a  thousand 
years  in  thy  sight  are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is 
past,'  produced,  under  the  circumstances,  feelings  of 
no  ordinary  interest." 

The  "  Psalm  of  Praise,"  written  by  Mathias  Joch- 
umson,  tho  music  by  Sveinbjornasson,  moved  the  Ice- 
landers as  never  before  any  multitude  was  stirred, 
in  their  humble  temples  of  worship. 

The  refrain,  "  Islands  Pusand  Ar  "  (  "  Iceland's 
Thousand  Years  "),  rang  with  solemn,  subdued  power 
through  the  cathedral,  filling  the  eyes  of  the  native 
population  with  tears  of  chastened  gladness,  and  rev- 
erent homage  to  Him  with  whom  "  a  thousand  years 
are  as  one  day." 

The  sermon,  intelligible  only  to  the  Icelanders,  was 
delivered  in  the  customary  half-chanting  style ;  but 
they  gave  to  it  close  attention,  as  is  their  habit  in  all 
religious  services. 

This  rehgious  celebration  of  an  hour  and  a  half 
closed  with  another  anthem  of  great  pathos  and  mel- 
ody, to  which  the  language  is  so  well  adapted. 

Without  a  formal  procession,  the  invited  guests 


i  M 


286 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


!•  i 


I:ti 


repaired,  at  four  o'clock,  to  the  royal  banquet  at  the 
University  Build' n^.  Muny  from  inland  were  per- 
mitted to  look  in  upon  the  appetizinj^  wonders  of  the 
table,  which  they  for  the  first  time  beheld,  — a  con- 
tiiujntal  table  spread  in  Iceland.  Those  that  sat 
down  to  the  feast  were  nearly  all  dressed  in  civil, 
naval,  or  military  uniform. 

"  The  royal  marshal.  Baron  Holten,  who  seems 
to  have  been  chosen,  like  his  fellow-marshals  at  all 
courts,  for  love  of  good  cheer  and  good  fellowship, 
Gov.  Finssen,  Minister  Klein,  Capt.  Malte-Brun, 
Adm.  Lagercrautz  of  the  Swedish  navy,  the  bishop, 
Chief- Justice  Jonasson,  and,  finally,  hale  and  hearty 
Dr.  Ajaltalin,  vere  among  the  number.  Last  of  all 
came  Madam  Finssen,  preceding  the  king  and  Prince 
Waldemar.  Tall  and  stately,  in  her  black  moire 
robe,  she  was  as  composed  and  perfect  in  manner  as 
when  she  descended  the  garden  steps  to  welcome  his 
majesty. 

"  The  king  walked  around  the  circle  without  any 
ceremony,  exchanging  a  few  words  with  each  person 
as  he  passed.  Prince  Waldemar  is  not  more  than 
eighteen  or  nineteen,  and  still  boyishly  diffident  in 
his  manner.  He  seemed  inclined  to  keep  in  the 
background  as  much  as  possible." 

At  the  blast  of  the  trumpets  of  the  band,  the  king, 
with  Madam  Finssen  on  his  arm,  led  the  company  to 
the  banqueting  hall,  decorated  with  flags  and  arms, 
to  partake  of  a  dinner,  for  the  most  part  imported 
in  cans  from  Copenhagen.  Danish  silver  shone  on 
the  tables,  and  by  it  lay  a  gold-lettered  bill  of  Dan- 
ish fare  j  with  a  sight  of  all  others^  the  rarest  and 


THE  PEOPLE'S  FESTIVAL. 


S97 


most  tempting  to  the  natives,  —  black  Hamburg 
giaj)eH. 

After  the  feast,  the  king  rose,  and  warmly  thanked 
the  people  for  the  hearty  welcome  which  had  greeted 
him,  and  gave  the  sentiment,  "  Long  live  old  Ice- 
land 1  "  The  band  played  ;  a  signal  from  the  roof 
opened  the  iron  tongues  of  the  war-ships,  sending 
their  battle-music  along  the  i>eaceful  shores. 

Speeches  and  toasts  from  Klein,  minister  of  justice, 
and  other  distinguished  guests,  completed  the  ban- 
quet. 

At  six  o'clock  the  crowd  moved  towards  the  hill- 
side a  mile  distant,  to  hold  the  "  People's  Festival ;  '* 
passing  the  prison,  Reykjavik's  finest  structure,  but 
without  an  inmate  to  appreciate  its  cleanly  rooms 
and  verdant  lawn. 

The  declivity  is  crowned  with  a  tower,  built  by 
the  students  for  sheltered  pastimes,  now  serving  the 
purpose  of  a  beacon  for  the  harbor,  and  also  for  in- 
land travellers. 

Upon  the  cleared,  broad  brow  of  the  hill,  around 
the  speaker's  stand,  gathered  two  thousand  people. 
The  king's  tent  was  pitched  near,  and  another  for 
refreshments. 

The  elevation  commanded  a  fine  view  of  Reykjavik, 
cradled  between  two  hills ;  the  harbor  dotted  with 
islands,  and  the  dark  ranges  of  hills  and  mountains 
piled  away  against  the  horizon. 

The  king's  suite  entered  the  area,  and  a  salute 
with  hand-grenades  cost  a  gunner  his  right  hand. 
Then  a  grand  old  song  floated  away  to  the  sea,  and 
blended  with  its  dashings  upon  the  same  dhores  it 


i^^mmm 


i  f  i 


! 


1  f 

il! 

"  V 

'  f" 

u 

'i" 

•- 

:  i 

■■  ? 

:'   It 

. 

1 1 
1  - 

■  •  ? ' 

'     5 

•     1 

i    :    i     ' 

288 


r/7f:  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


washed  a  thousand  years  ago,  changed  only  in  out- 
lines by  fire  and  flood. 

Speeches  were  next  in  order  from  foreign  visitors, 
with  songs  between  them  by  a  male  choir  from  the 
capital.  Bayard  Taylor  contributed  a  beautiful 
poem  to  the  occasion,  extemporized  on  shipboard, 
and  translated  into  Icelandic  by  Mathias  Jochums- 
Bon,  who  has  given  his  countrymen,  in  Icelandic,  some 
of  the  plays  of  Shakspeare.  The  effusion  needed  no 
apology  from  its  author.  He  was  introduced  on 
this  occasion  by  Mr.  Magniisson,  as  the  skald  from 
America.  He  made  a  brief  and  enthusiastic  speech 
in  Danish,  concluding  with  the  sentiment,  "Hail  to 
Iceland,  and  the  whole  Norse  race  I  '* 

AMERICA  TO  ICELAND. 

We  come,  the  children  of  thy  Vinland, 
The  youngest  of  the  world's  high  peers, 

O  land  of  steel  and  song  and  saga, 
To  greet  thy  glorious  thousand  years! 

Across  that  sea,  the  son  of  Erik 
Dared  with  his  venturous  dragon's  prow: 

From  shores  where  Thorfinn  set  thy  banner 
Their  latest  children  seek  thee  now. 


\$ 


Hail!  motherland  of  skalds  and  heroes, 
By  love  of  freedom  hither  hurled ; 

Fire  in  their  hearts  as  in  tiiy  mountains, 
Aud  strength  like  thine  to  shake  the  world  I 

When  war  and  ravage  wrecked  the  nations, 
The  bird  of  song  made  thee  her  home; 

The  ancient  godd,  the  ancient  glory, 
Still  dwelt  within  thy  shores  of  foam. 

Here,  as  a  fount  may  keep  its  virtue 

Where  all  the  rivers  turbid  run. 
The  manly  growtli  of  deed  and  daring 

Was  thine  beneath  a  scantier  sun. 


i 


EXCURSIONS. 

Set  far  apart,  neglected,  exiled, 
Thy  children  wrote  tiieir  nines  of  pride, 

With  power  that  brings,  in  this  thy  triumph, 
The  conquering  nations  to  thy  side. 

What  though  thy  native  harps  be  silent? 

The  chord  they  struck  shall  ours  prolong: 
We  claim  thee  kindred,  call  thee  mother, 

O  land  of  saga,  steel,  and  song! 


289 


A  half-hour's  reception  was  given  by  the  king,  and 
improved  by  a  large  number  of  the  assemblage.  The 
impression  made  by  the  kindly  dignity  and  interest 
in  the  people,  by  Christian  IX.,  was  expressed  in 
quiet  admiration  by  the  words,  *'  He  is  very  friendly, 
and  we  are  sure  he  is  honest." 

Aug.  5,  the  royal  party  mounted  ponies  for  the 
geysers,  through  Thingvalla,  to  return  there  in  time 
for  the  closing  festivities  of  the  Millennial.  At  the 
same  time  the  American  party  started  on  a  similar 
excursion.  The  falling  rain  did  not  prevent  the 
gathering  of  the  natives  to  see  the  cavalcades  leave 
their  capital. 

The  interpreter  of  the  Yankee  procession  was  the 
daughter  of  '^'oega ;  the  honest  guide,  if  we  mistake 
not,  of  the  second  tourist  from  this  country  who 
visited  the  island,  and  the  first,  if  not  the  only  one, 
to  make  sketches  of  its  scenery.  Zoega  had  taught 
the  sprightly  girl  English,  during  the  long  winter 
evenings,  which  she  was  now  making  useful. 

The  clouds  broke  away ;  and  the  "  stony  promon- 
tory of  Reykjavik  "  gleamed  in  the  bursts  of  sunlight, 
as  the  companies  disappeared  along  its  narrow  path, 
Bending  back,  through  an  atmosphere  clear  as  evei 

26 


Iff 

mi 


,! 


2dO 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


il 


?    i 


■■  '■'!' 


ft  ■!  ii 


I  i 


bi 


h-i 


,1: : 


fanned  the  lungs  of  man  or  heast,  the  crack  of  the 
whip,  and  the  clatter  of  hoofs. 

Fording  the  Salmon  iiiver,  and  on  through  the 
lovely  vale  of  Soljadialr,  beside  its  crystal  stream, 
they  galloped  rapidly,  "  the  curlew  and  the  plover 
piping  their  melancholy  notes  from  the  darip  hollows 
sprinkled  here  and  there." 

As  the  day  wore  away,  they  defiled  from  the  gorge 
of  the  Almanne-Gjo.  into  Thingvalla,  and  halted 
near  the  parsonage.  The  rain  came  down,  and  the 
tents  went  up.  A  little  later,  and  the  king's  ser- 
vants in  red  coats  were  preparing  supper  In  the  cor- 
ner of  a  stone  wall,  in  a  fireplace  among  the  rocks ; 
the  royal  silver  "  scarcely  distinguished,  in  the  twi- 
light, from  republican  tin"  in  the  American  camp. 

Christian  IX.  was  quite  at  ease,  replying  to  salu- 
tations with  one  hand,  while  the  other  held  a  piece 
of  bread  or  m'^at. 

A  pleasant  day  may  be  passed  in  this  grand  valley, 
among  the  numberless  chasms,  in  whose  fathomless 
depths  of  clear,  imprisoned  water  glide  young  trout, 
whose  only  entrance  there  must  have  been  by  sub- 
terranean channels  far  below,  connecting  with  the 
lake  half  a  mile  away.  The  ragged  borders  and 
the  mouths  of  caverns  are  fringed  with  beautiful 
lichens,  mosses,  and  two  or  three  varieties  of  modest 
flowers,  smiling  in  the  gloom,  —  beauty  on  the  bosom 
of  gigantic  strength. 

The  next  night's  encampment  was  by  the  Great 
Geyser,  where  the  exhibitions  of  the  boiling,  up- 
springing  floods  were  enjoyed  by  their  royal  proprie- 
tor, and  at  the  same  time  by  the  republicans,  who 


A  ROYAL  PICNIC. 


291 


had  sailed  over  a  wider  sea  than  he  had  crossed,  to 
see  them. 

While  here,  the  king,  with  his  attendants,  as- 
cended a  hill,  where  he  carved  on  the  lava-rock  his 
royal  monogram. 

"  Among  the  visitors  who  came  in  from  the  scat- 
tered farms  were  several  sick  persons,  who  had  made 
long  visits,  in  the  hope  of  finding  a  physician  in  the 
king's  suite.  Disappointed  in  this,  they  turned  to 
Di.  Hayes  and  Dr.  Iljal  "  ^  The  first  case  was  a 
man  suffering  from  Bright's  Disease  ;  for  which,  un- 
fortunately, we  had  no  raedicines.  But  the  medi- 
cine-chest, when  it  was  opened,  attracted  the  visitors 
with  a  singular  power. 

"  Soon  afterwards  came  a  married  couple,  the 
mother  carrying  a  baby ;  which,  as  it  needed  but  a 
glance  to  see,  was  almost  dying  of  croup.  They  had 
carried  the  poor  child  on  horseback  for  five  hours,  in 
the  hope  of  finding  relief.  There  was  no  time  to  be 
lost.  Hot  baths  and  poultices  were  ordered  at  the 
byre  near  at  hand,  and  in  the  mean  time  an  opiate 
was  administered.  The  gasping  and  writhing  of  the 
child  was  too  much  for  those  strong  Icelandic  men. 
The  mother  stood,  calm  and  firm,  holding  it ;  but 
Zoega  ran  away  in  one  direction,  and  Eyvindur  in 
another,  crying  like  children ;  and  the  farmers  turned 
aside  their  heads  to  hide  their  tears. 

"  At  the  byre,  nothing  could  exceed  the  kindness 
of  tlie  farmer's  family ;  in  fact,  of  all  who  could 
help.  The  king's  purveyor  furnished  white  bread 
for  a  poultice ;  a  hot  bath  was  made  ready ;  and  the 
father  stuffed  the  child's  clothes  into  his  bosom,  to 


292 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


r 


ffi.i  i 


m 


>  i  m 


keep  them  warm  for  it.  All  night  the  people 
watched  with  it ;  and  the  next  morning  everybody 
looked  happy  on  hearing  that  its  condition  had 
somewhat  improved." 

Aug.  6  the  tents  were  struck,  and  the  processions 
were  on  the  march  to  Thingvalla. 

When  the  sun  hung  low  upon  its  heights,  the 
scene  was  rare  as  it  was  striking.  Along  the  base 
of  Almanne-Gja,  tents  were  pitched  upon  the  green 
slopes ;  on  the  river-bank  were  four  large  pavilions, 
flanked  with  smaller  ones  ;  from  the  Mount  of  Laws 
shot  up  a  flagstaff,  with  the  new  banner,  a  white 
falcon  on  ground  of  blue,  streaming  in  the  e^'^citlug 
breeze ;  opposite,  towards  the  cataract  of  the  Ayas, 
was  the  platform  gayly  festooned,  and  shaded  with 
the  interlockiixg  flags  of  the  nationaUties  represented 
at  the  jubilee.  Up  and  down  the  valley,  upon  grassy- 
elevations,  were  grouped  the  thousands  of  people, 
and  over  them  banners  were  flying ;  camp-fires  sent 
up  their  lazy  columns  of  smoke ;  while  ringing  laugh- 
ter, and  shouts  of  merriment,  echoed  along  the  mu- 
nition of  rocks. 

Before  the  entrance  of  the  grand  pavilion,  was 
one  of  the  most  impressive  occasions  of  the  jubilee. 
It  was  the  singing,  by  the  choi^,  of  Mr.  Jochumsson's 
"  Minni  Konung's  a  Thingvelli,"  or,  "  The  King's 
Welcome  to  Thingvalla." 

It  was  sung  to  the  fine  Danish  air,  "  King  Christ- 
ian lays  uside  his  Sword." 


THE  KING'S   WELCOME  TO  THINGVALLA. 


293 


nsson  s 


THE  KING'S  WELCOME  TO  THINGVALLA. 

I. 

With  strong  foot  treatl  the  holy  ground, 
Our  snow-land's  king,  the  lofty-hearted, 
Who  from  thy  royal  home  has  parted. 

To  greet  these  liills  thaf  guard  ur  round! 
Our  freedom's  scroll  thy  hand  has  lent  us, 
The  ftrst  of  kings  whom  God  has  sent  us, 

Hail!  welcome  to  our  country's  heart  I 

n. 

Land's-father,  here  the  Law-Mount  view! 
Behold  God's  works  in  all  their  vastnessi 
Where  sawest  thou  Freedom's  fairer  fastness, 

With  fire-heaved  ramparts,  waters  blue? 
Here  sprang  the  sagas  of  our  splendor; 
Here  every  Iceland  heart  is  tender: 

GkMi  built  this  altar  for  his  flock  I 

in. 

Here,  as  in  thousand  years  of  old, 
Sound  the  same  words,  a  voice  unended, 
As  when  their  life  and  law  defended 

The  spearmen  with  their  shields  of  gold: 
The  same  land  yet  the  same  speech  f^veth. 
The  ancient  soul  of  Freedom  liveth, 

And  hither,  king,  we  welcome  thee! 

IV. 

But  now  are  past  a  thousand  years, 
As  in  the  people's  memory  hoarded, 
And  in  G^d's  volume  stand  recorded 

Their  strife  and  trial,  woes  and  fears; 
Now  let  the  hope  of  better  ages 
Be  what  thy  presence,  king,  presages! 

Now  let  the  prosperous  time  be  sure! 

V. 

Our  land  to  thee  her  thanks  shall  yield, 
A  thousand  years  thy  ncune  be  chanted. 
Here,  where  the  Hill  of  Law  is  planted, 

'Twixt  fiery  fount  and  lava-field: 
We  pray  All-Father,  our  dependence. 
To  bless  thee  and  thy  far  descendants, 

And  those  they  rule,  a  thousand  years! 
85* 


294 


TUE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


'  f 


.■^ 


The  effect  was  owerful  and  very  apparent. 
Calm,  almost  expressionless  eyes  grew  bright,  and 
the  flush  of  excitement  rose  on  many  cheeks.  The 
guests  then  moved  into  the  spacious  tent;  and  an 
excellent  breakfcist  was  served,  in  which  Icelandic 
salmon,  and  other  fish  of  native  waters,  reminded 
tliem  of  soil  on  which  the  tables  were  spread. 

Thomsson  of  Bessestad  made  the  opening  speech 
in  Danish.  ' 

"  He  repeated  the  old  legend  of  the  first  discoverer 
of  Iceland  meeting  a  dragon,  a  bull  breathing  flame, 
and  a  giant  coming  down  from  the  mountains  with 
an  iron  staff,  all  three  of  which  the  hero  must  over- 
come before  he  could  possess  the  land ;  and  then, 
likening  Christian  IX.  to  the  hero,  left  us  in  doubt 
as  to  whom  or  what  was  typified  by  the  three  mon- 
sters. The  compliment  to  the  king  found  the  Ice- 
landers warmed,  and  prepared  to  receive  it ;  and  the 
end  was  his  majesty's  health,  with  nine  tremendous 
cheers.  The  king  returned  thanks,  with  evident 
feeling,  p,nd  gave  as  a  toast,  *  Prosperity  to  sublime 
Iceland ! ' 

"  After  a  health  to  Queen  Louise  of  Denmark,  pro- 
posed by  Chief-Justice  Jonasson,  Eirikr  Magntissen 
made  the  speech  of  the  occasion.  It  was  in  Ice- 
landic ;  but  the  rich  rhythm  and  resonance  of  the 
ancient  tongue  were  a  delight  to  the  ear.  Its  con- 
trast with  the  previous  Danish  speeches  was  surpris- 
ing. The  natives  present  kindled  and  warmed  as 
the  speaker  proceeded,  until  there  was  a  burst  of 
*  Bravo ! '  after  almost  every  sentence.  In  fact,  in 
spite  of  the  open  loyalty  of  the  speech;  it  was  power- 


A  NOVEL   OATnERtNO. 


295 


fully  calculated  to  arouse  the  national  pride.  Mag- 
nusson  spoke  of  the  Icelanders  as  being  themselves 
of  kingly  blood,  as  obedient  only  to  honor  and  hon- 
esty, and  as  claiming  an  equal  measure  of  respecc 
with  that  they  yielded.  His  words  were  manly,  not 
defiant.  The  very  beginning  of  the  address,  *  Sir 
King,*  instead  of  '  Your  Majesty,'  struck  the  old 
independent  keynote  ;  and  the  close,  hoping  that  the 
second  thousand  years  of  Iceland's  history  might 
find  the  same  dynasty  in  power,  was  only  uttered 
after  a  distinct  declaration  of  what  was  expected 
from  the  dynasty  in  the  mean  time." 

Never  before  had  those  turreted  walls  looked  down 
on  such  a  gathering  ;  for  not  till  then,  since  the  fire- 
waves  surged  over  them,  and  sunk  the  moiten  floor 
a  hundred  feet  or  more,  had  a  jubilee  filled  their 
dark  embrasures  with  sounds  of  peaceful  gladness. 
From  Scandinavian,  French,  and  American  hearts, 
in  fullest  sympathy,  they  rose  upon  the  evening  air. 
The  king  and  his  party  now  appeared  in  the  arena, 
escorted  by  a  body  of  bonder^  or  landholders,  picked 
men  in  standing  and  stature,  who  had  met  \  'm  a 
mile  away.  These  twelve  grave  men  formed  in  two 
lines  of  six  along  the  path  through  which  his  majesty 
re-entered  the  historic  spot.  The  brief  address  of 
welcome  by  Fredriksson,  chairman,  of  the  commit- 
tee, called  forth  cheers  so  frequent  and  vociferous, 
that  the  ponies,  unaccustomed  to  such  demonstra- 
tions, displayed  their  resentment  by  sudden  tangents 
from  the  arena ;  Gov.  Finssen's  steed  tossing  him  un- 
ceremoniously from  the  saddle ;  while  the  king,  who 
is  said  to  be  an  accomplished  rider,  quieted  his  by 


lit' 


u 


(I 


llm 


296 


TJIE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


gently  patting  the  neck  of  the  animal,  who  seemed 
to  understand  perfectly  the  wishes  of  his  illustrious 
master,  or  appreciate  the  honor  of  bearing  royalty 
on  the  great  occasion.  Before  the  king,  maiched 
twenty-four  young  ladies,  scattering  Iceland's  wild 
flowers  —  anemone,  thyme,  and  saxifrage  —  in  his 
pathway ;  while  the  choir,  standing  on  the  lava-floor 
not  far  distant,  sang  a  sacred  chant,  completing 
the  beautiful  and  thrilling  sights  and  sounds,  which 
mov^d  the  most  stolid  of  the  spectators. 

The  formal  address  of  Iceland  to  her  king  was  read 
by  Herr  Thornssen  of  Bessestad,  expressing  both 
loyalty  and  undisguised  desire  for  enlarged  freedom 
in  the  administration  of  home  affairs.  Christian's 
response  was  brief  but  gratifying,  followed  by  cheers 
and  the  natioral  anthem  of  Denmark. 

After  an  interval  of  rest,  the  usual  services  of 
such  occasions  followed,  —  the  speeches  of  dele- 
gates, presentation  of  elegantly  engrossed  addresses 
from  kindred  nations,  literary  societies,  and  art 
academies.  ^ 

Rain!  rain  I  was  Nature's  order  of  the  day, 
but  ihis  evidently  did  not  disturb  the  equanimity 
of  the  Danish  king ;  for,  at  one  o'clock,  his  caval- 
cade stood  in  order,  the  long  line  of  ponies  impa- 
tient for  the  homeward  march  of  seventy  miles, 
befo:  J  the  midnight  sun  went  down. 

When  the  royal  party  reached  the  shadows  of 
Almanne-Gjd,  in  them  Scood  the  choir,  who  had  gone 
before  to  await  his  coming,  and  sing  a  parting  song. 
Strange  and  impressive  farewell!  Over  king  and 
singers  hung  the  lava  battlement ;  behind  them,  the 


•  "REMEMBRANCE  OF  ICELAND.'* 


297 


emed 
:riouH 
.yalty 
rched 
wild 
n  his 
i-floor 
leting 
which 

ts  read 
;  both 
eedom 
istian's 
cheers 

ces  of 

dele- 

iresses 

id    art 

5    day, 

nimity 

caval- 

impa- 

miles, 

|)WS    of 

d  gone 
song, 
ig  and 
jm,  the 


deserted,  grand  old  court-room  of  the  ancient  re- 
public ;  before  them,  the  narrow  gorge  through  the 
Gjd;  while  the  sounding  melody  floated  over  all, 
and  died  away  in  vanishing  echoes  upon  the  eternal 
solitudes.  A  gracious  bow,  and,  one  by  one,  the 
kingly  suite  disappear  in  a  winding,  ascending  path ; 
the  last  act  in  the  Millennial  Jubilee  is  over ;  and 
Thingvalla  returns  to  the  deep  quietude  of  ages. 

There  is  an  Icelandic  national  song,  composed  by 
a  former  governor  of  the  northern  province  of  the 
island,  Biarni  Thorarensen,  when  he  was  far  away 
from  his  home,  completing  his  studies  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Copenhagen.  It  is  called,  and  very  appro- 
priately, the  "  Remembrance  of  Iceland,"  and  is 
sung  to  the  music  of  '*  God  save  the  Queen ; " 
which,  curiously  enough,  the  Icelanders  have 
adopted  as  their  national  air.  We  give  a  literal 
prose  translation,  in  English,  of  a  stanza,  which  ex- 
presses beautifully  patriotic  sentiments  expressed  in 
the  flowing,  rhythmic  music  of  the  original.  The 
words  are :  — 

"  Eldgarala  Isaf old 
Astkaera  fo»termold, 
Fyallkonan  frid! 
Mogum  thin  muntu  kaer, 
Medan  lond  girdir  saer 
Og  gumar  gimast  inaer; 
Gljar  sol  &  hlid." 

Old  land  of  ice, 

Dearly  beloved  native  land, 

Fair  maid  of  the  mountains, 

Dear  thou  shalt  be  to  thy  sons 

As  long  as  men  love  women, 

Or  sun-gleam  falls  on  the  hillside! 


M 


"■fli 


f  I 


298 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE, 


.'■T 


The  tribute  of  Dr.  Hayes  to  the  musical  powers 
of  the  Icehmders,  in  connection  with  a  serenade  to 
tlie  king  while  at  the  governor's  house,  is  very 
beautiful :  "  This  was  tne  first  occasion  on  which  I 
had  ever  henrd  an  Icelandic  song  ;  and,  while  already 
struck  with  the  great  sweetness  of  the  language  in 
conversation,  I  was  now  more  than  ever  captivated 
by  it  when  used  in  song.  The  singers,  who  were 
not  accompanied  by  any  musical  instrument,  were  a 
dozen  in  number,  and  were  led  by  a  blacksmith,  who 
certainly  has  a  most  remarkable  voice.  Several 
national  songs  were  sung  in  a  most  excellent  and 
stirring  manner ;  and  the  king  was  evidently  moved 
by  the  earnestness  with  which  these  simple  people 
greeted  him.  Hitherto  I  had  regarded  the  Iceland- 
ers as  a  rude  race  of  fishermen ;  but  here  I  discovered 
men  with  natural,  inborn  refinement,  with  true  deli- 
cacy of  feeling,  and  possessing  marvellous  skill  in 
vocal  music.  So  much  was  the  king  pleased,  that 
he  came  down  among  the  crowd,  shook  hands  with 
the  song -loving  blacksmith  and  his  brother  singers, 
and  thanked  them  all  with  genuine  heartiness. 
After  this  the  crowd  aspersed,  and  all  was  quiet  in 
the  sunlit  nigh'.>,  E'<iv'o  the  sound  of  ripples  break- 
ing on  the  beach,  and  of  the  ship's  bells  striking  the 
hours  and  half -hours  of  the  watch.  When  I  went 
aboard  I  took  a  book,  and,  on  deck,  could  read  dis- 
tinctly at  midnight." 

Thirty  years  ago  the  government  of  Denmark 
began  to  exhibit  some  sense  of  returning  justice 
towards  Iceland,  more  neglected  than  any  other  of 
her  inland-provinces.     Hope  of  better  days  stirred 


WW 


THE  NEW  CONSTITUTION. 


299 


the  noble  heart  of  J6n  Sigurdson,  whose  deep  inter- 
est in  the  people  lias  endeared  him  to  Iceland.  Ilia 
influential  leadership,  in  the  direction  of  reform, 
secured  the  new  constitution  which  the  king  brought 
with  him  to  the  Millennial.  This  document  was 
divided  into  seven  chapters,  and  each  of  these  into 
as  many  or  more  paragraphs. 

The  Althing,  which  sits  every  other  year  for  six 
weeks,  unless  the  royal  edict  is  interposed  to  change 
the  time  or  dissolve  the  assembly,  followed  by  a  new 
election,  is  composed  of  thirty  deputies,  elected  by 
the  people  for  six  years ;  and  six  chosen  by  the 
king.  There  is  an  upper  and  lower  house ;  the 
former  composed  of  the  royal  six,  and  an  equal  num- 
ber selected  by  the  thirty  from  their  number;  the 
latter  comprises  the  twenty-four  left  of  the  thirty 
members.  The  legislative  power  is  in  the  hands  of 
the  king  and  Althing;  the  executive  authority,  in 
those  of  the  monarch  alone ;  and  the  judicial  power 
belongs  exclusively  to  the  judges.  Iceland  has  no 
representation  at  Copenhagen,  and  has  no  share  in 
the  expenses  of  the  realm.  The  governor  of  the 
island  is  appointed  by  the  king. 

The  Althing  manages  entirely  the  financial  affairs 
of  the  island.  Two-thirds  of  either  house  make  a 
quorum. 

While  the  Lutheran  is  the  State  Church,  liberty 
of  conscience  is  secured. 

Many  of  the  provisions  touching  education,  fiee- 
dom  of  the  press,  the  poor,  and  other  public  interests 
and  personal  rights,  are  excellent.  It  is  true,  the 
king  holds  the  reins  firmly  in  his  royal  hand ;  but 


V 


(* ; 


300 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


the  constitution  mark^i  a  promisinj:^  era  in  the  hiatory 
of  Icohiud,  and  may  wako  up  a  people  from  death- 
like slumhcr,  after  liolding  a  commtuiding  position 
by  the  force  of  their  own  intclleetuiil  energy,  to  a 
future  more  worthy  of  its  glorious  past,  and  present 
possibilities. 

Upon  the  return  to  Revkjavik,  Dr.  Hayes  accepted 
the  king's  invitation  to  call  upon  him  at  the  gover- 
nor's residence.  A  description  of  the  interview  we 
give  from  his  own  ready  pen  ;  — 

*'  I  was,  at  half-past  one,  ushered  in  to  the  king 
by  his  courteous  adjutant,  Hedemann  ;  or,  rather,  the 
king  ushered  himself  into  my  presence.  For  while 
I  was  passing  the  compliments  of  the  day  with  the 
adjut^int,  waiting  an  opportunity  to  be  announced, 
the  king,  hearing  my  voice,  opened  the  door  himself, 
and  greeted  me  with  a  cheerful  *  Good -morning,'  and 
a  cordial  gra^sp  of  the  hand. 

"  I  was  more  than  ever  impressed  with  his  kindly 
disposition,  and  inborn  courtesy  of  manner  ;  qualities 
which,  always  noticeable  anywhere  in  anybody,  are 
particularly  likely  to  attract  attention  when  shown 
by  a  king,  among  a  people  not  accustomed  to  the 
ways  of  kings.  Hence  his  great  popularity  with  the 
Icelanders. 

**  The  governor's  house  is  a  tolerably  commodious 
building,  two  stories  high,  and  whitewashed.  In 
front  of  it  there  is  a  sloping  garden  of  more  than  a 
quarter  of  an  acre ;  where  patches  of  fresh  green 
gnuss  alternate  with  rows  of  lettuce,  cabbage,  rad- 
ishes, and  potatoes,  but  no  tlowera.  Plenty  of  tliem 
there  are,  however,  in  the  windows,  peeping  fi*om 


m  -:;;; 


INTERVIEW   WITH  THE  KINO. 


301 


View  wo 


underneath  the  snow-whito  curtains ;  and  they  have 
a  very  cheerful  look.  The  hallway  is  narrow,  and, 
while  the  king  is  thorc,  is  guardod  by  a  sent'aol  in  a 
badly-fitting  red  coat  with  silver  buttons  and  a  ser- 
geant's sword.  The  adjutant's  room  is  at  the  end  of 
the  hallway,  and  looks  out  upon  the  rear.  The 
king's  reception-room  is  to  the  right,  and  is  about 
forty  feet  by  twenty.  It  is  not  carpeted  :  but  there 
is  a  fine  rug  in  the  centre  of  it,  and  otber  small  ones 
liere  and  there.  I  like  this  very  common  Danish  cus- 
tom of  clean  floors,  and  the  absence  of  dirty  carpets. 

"  In  the  centre,  was  a  neat  mahogany  table  ;  and 
some  old,  well-polished  mahogany  chairs  stood  about 
here  and  there.  There  were  two  or  three  smaller 
tables,  a  writing-desk,  a  few  engravings  on  the  wall^ 
—  one  of  the  king,  and  another  of  the  queen  of 
Denmark  ;  and,  in  genend,  that  was  all.  The  walls 
were  papered  with  a  plain  white  paper ;  and  nothing 
could  be  moro  simple  and  unregal  than  this  present 
abode  of  royalty.  The  king  was  attired  in  a  com- 
mon and  rather  well-worn  walking-dross.  IIo 
strikck  me  as  having  a  good  deal  of  the  Engli.^h  gen- 
tleman about  him.  He  is  a  good  hoi*seman,  is  fond 
of  shooting,  takes  long  walks,  and  dress«»s  plainly, 
I  am  told,  that,  in  his  domestic  life,  his  tastes  and 
habits  are  extremely  simple ;  and  I  should  tliink  so 
from  what  I  observed. 

"  I  asked  liim  about  the  new  constitution. 

*'  *  I  hope,'  said  he,  in  reply,  *  this  new  constitution 
will  give  satisfaction  to  the  people  of  Iceland.  They 
are  a  fine  people,  and  their  prosperity  is  very  dear  to 
me.    In  all  constitutional  governments,  the  peopU 


^ 


m 


■  =  ripll 


302 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


M   '  I 


1  i  '     ^  M  r'  r  I 


1,1  ,i|!  *    ->l 


Ml 


nil 


hi 


:i: 


must  have  a  systematic  representation,  and  a  local 
form  of  administration ;  and  this,  I  think,  the  new 
constitution  grants  them.' 

"  *  If  your  majesty  please,'  I  continued,  '  might  I 
ask  how  it  is  that  the  new  government  differs  from 
the  old?' 

"  The  king  answered  with  great  frankness,  *  By 
the  new  constitution,  there  is  given  to  Iceland  (which 
hitherto  had  only  a  consultative  influence  over  its 
own  affairs,  through  its  Althing)  a  full  power  of 
legislation  and  taxation ;  while  the  affairs  of  Iceland 
were  formerly  divided  between  the  bureaus  of  dif- 
ferent ministers  in  Denmark.  Iceland  has  nor  li 
own  special  minister,  to  whose  portfolio  belongs  all 
that  concerns  the  island ;  while  such  affairs  as  con- 
cern Denmark  and  Iceland  in  common  continue  to 
be  in  the  hands  of  the  Danish  legislature.' 

"  I  took  the  liberty  of  asking  the  specific  nature  of 
their  common  affairs. 

"  '  Such  as  concern  the  dynasty,  intercourse  with 
foreign  powers,  and  the  ordinary  regulations  of  com- 
merce.' 

'•' »  Then  the  Icelanders  are  quite  free,  as  concerns 
their  local  legislation  ? ' 

"  *  Quite  so,  in  fact ;  and  I  think  the  new  arrange- 
ment will  work  for  their  prosperity  and  good.  It  is 
with  this  hope  that  I  have  undertaken  this  voyage  to 
Iceland,  at  the  time  when  the  new  arrangement  comes 
into  operation.  Iceland  has  a  great  history,  and  her 
resources  are  large  enough  to  give  her  a  great  fu- 
ture ;  and  this,  taken  in  connection  with  this  cele- 
bration of  the  thousandth  anniversary  cf  the  country, 


a  local 
the  new 

might  I 
^ers  from 

ess,  *By 
i  (which 

over  its 
)ower  of 
f  Iceland 
.8  of  dif- 

nosr  Iv 
(longs  all 
s  as  con- 
atinue  to 

aature  of 

urse  with 
s  of  com- 

concerns 

r  arrange- 
od.  It  is 
voyage  to 
ent  comes 
,  and  her 
great  fu- 
this  cele- 
e  country, 


THE  NEW  CONSTITUTION. 


803 


makes  the  mission  doubly  interesting  and  important 
to  me.' 

*'  I  spoke  then  of  the  manifestations  of  loyalty 
which  I  had  everywhere  witnessed. 

"  *  It  has,  of  course,  not  escaped  me.  I  think  the 
Icelanders  understand  me,  and  appreciate  my  inten- 
tions.' 

"The  king  said,  *No  one  ever  doubted  the 
thorough  loyalty  of  Iceland.'  He  was  thankful  for 
the  cordial  greeting  he  had  met  with  since  he  had  first 
landed.  He  was  proud  to  be  the  first  of  the  Danish 
kings  who  had  visited  the  island  ;  and  he  hoped  that 
the  new  constitution  which  he  had  brought  with 
him  would  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  country, 
and  more  strongly  than  ever  cement  the  bond  which 
unites  Iceland  with  Denmark. 

"  The  king  is  a  capital  speaker ;  his  voice  is  good, 
and  his  manner  hearty  and  pleasing ;  and  is  hand- 
some ;  and  if  fifty-six,  and  the  father  of  the  future 
king  of  Denmark,  the  present  king  of  Greece,  the 
sometime-to-be  queen  consort  of  England,  and  the 
czarina  of  Russia,  he  does  not  look  forty-five." 

Of  the  new  constitution,  Icelanders  said,  "  Well, 
it  is  a  good  step  in  the  right  direction,  and  an  enter- 
ing wedge  for  something  better."  Others  spoke 
more  warmly,  declaring  "it  would  be  all  right 
enough,  if  we  were  rid  of  this  Danish  governor  and 
tlio  royal  spies."  This  hopeful  unrest  is  the  position 
of  a  people  pursuing  their  simple  avocations,  with  no 
occasion  for  military  force  or  police,  and  no  reason 
wiy  the  treasury  of  Denmark  should  receive  so  large 
a  portion  of  their  scanty  earnings  upon  the  stormy 


■Ui  I 


u 


m 


304 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


deep,  and  along  the  valleys  which  afford  scarcelj? 
more  than  pasture  for  their  flocks  and  herds. 

Attention  has  been  called,  within  a  few  years,  to 
the  vast  sulphur-fields,  the  largest  of  which  are  at 
Krisuvik,  called  by  a  distinguished  writer  on  Ice- 
land's mineral  resources  •*  a  mine  of  wealth."  These 
could  furnish  the  market  of  the  world  with  their 
staple,  and  may  yet  open  a  remunerative  trade 
to  both  the  people  and  those  who  inaugurate  the 
enterprise. 

Mr.  Sushby,  an  Englishman  with  a  shrewd  fore- 
sight, some  time  ago  purchased  the  Krisuvik  Moun- 
tain, securing  a  large  district.  A  passable  road 
could  be  greatly  improved,  connecting  it  with  Grun- 
devik,  on  the  coast,  lying  south-west  from  Reykjavik, 
across  the  Guldbringe  Syssel. 

Along  the  Breida  Fiord,  on  the  north-west  coast, 
the  French  fisheries  number  over  two  hundi-ed  and 
fifty  vessels,  employing  seven  thousand  men. 

In  the  south-west  corner  of  the  Guldbringe  Syssel, 
near  Buela,  is  Iceland's  coal-mine,  the  "  Surturbrimd ; " 
ledges  of  bituminous  wood,  evidently  formed  by  the 
accumulation  of  drift-wood  in  the  ages  past,  brought 
there  by  the  Gulf  Stream  from  America,  and  the 
current  that  sets  in  from  the  northern  coast  of 
Asia.  These  ocean-rivers  have  floated  down  to 
treeless  Iceland  materials  for  building  and  fuel,  —  a 
very  providential  provision  for  their  supply.  Prof. 
Bjarnasson  furnishes  some  notes  of  interest  on  those 
mineral  resources. 

"  As  for  the  sulphur-mines  in  Iceland,  there  are 
very  important  ones  in  two  places :  the  Krisuvikir- 


MINES. 


305 


nlimur  (the  mines  of  Krisuvik),  On  oiie  southern  coast 
of  the  great  peninsula,  limiting  the  south  side  of  the 
Faxafl6i  (the  gulf  of  Faxi)  ;  and  the  various  mines 
in  the  *  Pingeyjarsyrla,  in  north-east  of  Iceland 
(Hlidarndmur,  Fremrinamur,  Peystareykjanamur, 
Kroflunkmur),  in  the  vicinity  of  the  volcano  Krafla 
and  the  lake  Myvatn.  I  cannot  tell  how  valuable 
those  mines  are ;  but  according  to  a  statement  of 
Prof.  Johnstrup  of  Copenhagen,  who,  sent  by  the 
government  in  1871,  made  a  journey  to  Iceland 
to  examine  the  mines  in  the  Pingeyjarsyrla,  some  of 
them,  especially  the  Hlidarndmur,  —  the  mines  of 
Hlid,  Reykjahlid,  a  noted  farm  on  the  north-eastern 
shore  of  Myvatn  (the  lake  of  gnats),  must  be  of  very 
great  value.  Those  northern  mines  of  Iceland  the 
government  rented  to  an  Englishman,  Alfred  Loch, 
for  a  term  of  fifty  years.  But  this  rent  is  very 
low,  and  much  lower  than  it  had  been  proposed 
by  the  Alping,  the  renter  having  only  to  pay  fifty 
pounds  sterling  the  first  year ;  the  second  year  ten 
pounds  more,  &c. ;  adding  ten  pounds  to  the  amount 
every  year  for  five  years,  when  the  rent  has  amounted 
to  a  hundred  pounds,  which  rent  is  to  be  paid  for 
forty-four  years.  Security  of  only  five  thousand 
Danish  Rigsdalers  was  asked.  In  connection  with 
this  it  ought  to  be  observed,  that  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  in  the  reign  of  the  Danish  King  Frederick 
II.,  the  government  began  to  work  those  mines;  and 
then  the  surplus  of  the  production  of  them  in  one  year 
was  ten  thousand  Rigsdalers.  As  you  know,  there 
\&  in  some  places,  especially  in  the  western  part  of 


(  I 


HR'i 

Hi^  1 

K'|( 

^K  |! 

H^K^  i 

^^Bi 

II 

»• 


p=th. 


306 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


the  country,  a  kind  of  coal  called  surbarbrandur;  but 
hitherto  it  has  been  of  no  use,  caused  by  the  great 
difficulty  of  transportation ;  and  in  1871,  the  com- 
mon species  of  coal  has  been  discovered  in  the 
Myrasysla.  Lime  is  found  in  Mount  Esja  in  the 
vicinity  of  Reykjavik ;  and  surely  it  is  to  be  had  in 
many  more  places ;  ana  the  Iceland  calcareous  spar 
(called  "  silfurberg,"  which  means  silverstone)  is 
found  in  great  quantities  in  the  Helgusladafjall  (the 
mountain  of  Helgurtadir,  a  farm  thus  named)  in 
the  '"'  Reydarfjordur,"  the  largest  of  the  fiords  in  the 
eastern  coast  of  the  country.  This  mine  has  been 
wrought  in  the  last  decennaries,  but  without  energy." 

Emigration  from  Iceland  I  and  that  after  ten  cen- 
turies without  any  thing  of  the  kind,  beyond  coloniz- 
ing Greenland,  and  a  few  other  similar  attempts  else- 
where by  the  old  vikings.  It  evidently  is  the  turn 
of  the  tide  in  Icelandic  national  life;  and  no  one 
can  see  the  end  of  the  movement.  It  may  yet  leave 
the  historic  isle  a  memorial  only  of  past  marvels  of 
prowess  and  progress ;  in  whose  sheltered  coves,  and 
along  whose  fiords,  the  fishermen  alone  will  have 
their  habitations. 

We  are  glad  to  put  on  record  the  ^.dews  of  an  in- 
telligent Icelander,  and  of  an  American  Norseman, 
on  this  quiet  yet  significant  exodus. 

Writes  Prof.  Bjarnasson :  "  I  answer  your  letter 
in  great  haste,  being  very  busy  in  writing  and 
sending  my  last  letters  to  Iceland  this  year.  I  am  of 
the  opinion,  that  the  future  of  Iceland  will  be  hap- 
pier and  brighter  than  its  past  for  many  centuries. 
Although  its  new  constitution,  this  year  granted  by 


EMIGRATION. 


807 


the  King  of  Denmark,  does  not  fulfil  the  wishes  of 
the  people,  and  in  some  points  may  be  very  deficient, 
it  will  make  the  Icelanders  able  to  develop  their  abili- 
ties to  a  much  higher  degree  than  they  have  been 
allowed  to  do  hitherto.  The  resources  of  the  country, 
though  very  few,  being  mainly  raising  sheep,  and 
fishing,  must  be  able  to  yield  much  larger  quan- 
tities of  support  than  at  this  time.  The  want  of 
knowledge  of  practical  sciences  has  hindered  those 
resources  from  being  developed.  The  government  in 
past  times  has  entirely  neglected  the  coui,.hy  iii  that 
respect ;  but  at  present  the  Icelanders  are  convinced 
of  the  necessity  of  rapid  improvements  in  that 
branch  of  their  national  education ;  and  the  legisla- 
tive power  now  bestowed  upon  the  general  assembly 
(Alping,  Althing)  makes  them  able  to  amend 
this  want.  The  people  have  got  a  great  deal  more 
courage  to  act  than  before,  and  are  not  obliged  to 
look  for  assistance  in  its  social  and  political  progress 
only  to  the  Danish  government,  as  they  have  begun  to 
be  acquainted  with  some  other  foreign  countries  and 
nations  than  that  of  Denmark.  The  study  of  the 
national  tongue  and  literature  among  the  scholars  of 
Iceland  is  making  great  progress ;  and  the  literature 
has  increased  considerably  in  the  last  years. 

"  Notwithstanding  those  bright  prospects,  I  think 
the  emigration  from  Iceland,  commenced  years  ago, 
will  continue.  The  emigration  only  coafirms  the 
assertion,  that  the  people  have  more  courage  and 
inclination  to  act  than  ever  before.  The  horizon  of 
the  common  people  of  Iceland  has  been  extended, 
and  they  are  longing  for  better  circumstances  than 


808 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


i 


I ', 


. 


those  of  their  past.  The  emigrants  wish  a  more 
rapid  progress  in  their  social  and  economical  matters 
than  may  be  hoped  for  at  home.  Therefore  they 
emigrate  to  America.  The  number  of  the  Icelandic 
emigrants  in  America  last  winter  was  about  two 
hundred ;  and  of  those  about  one-half  lived  in  Can- 
ada (Ontario),  and  the  rest  in  the  United  States, 
mainly  in  different  places  of  Wisconsin  and 
Michigan.  This  summer  about  three  hundred  and 
sixty  emigrants  came  from  Iceland,  most  of  them 
settling  in  Canada." 

Prof.  Anderson,  whose  father  came  to  America 
in  the  first  ship  which  brought  Norse  emigrants  to 
its  shores,  and  who  has  "  consecrated  his  life  to  the 
North  European  or  Gothic  languages,  history,  and 
literature,"  adds,  — 

"  The  Icelanders  began  to  emigrate  to  America, 
their  ancient  Vinland,  in  1872 ;  and  there  are  now 
about  one  thousand  in  this  country,  half  of  whom  are 
in  Wisconsin,  a  •  a  the  other  half  in  Canada.  Four 
thoroughly  educated  Icelanders  are  among  this  num- 
ber, —  Prof.  J6n  Bjarnasson,  who  is  now  in  Luther 
College,  Decorah,  lo. ;  Paul  Thorackson,  who  is 
preparing  for  the  ministry  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  Olafur 
Olafsson,  a  mechanic  (a  self-made  man) ;  and  Jdn 
Olafsson,  a  poet,  who  was  compelled  to  leave  Ice- 
land on  account  of  his  strong  republican  tendencies. 
He  is  a  thoroughly  educated  man,  and  writes  poetry 
of  the  highest  order.  The  last  two,  Olafur  Olafsson 
and  J6n  Olafsson,  have  been  furnished  means  by  a 
gentleman  in  New  York,  and  have  gone  to  Alaska,  to 
see  whether  that  would  not  prove  an  excellent  place 


'^11 


I  more 
matters 
re  they 
lelandic 
ut  two 
in  Can- 
States, 
n  and 
•ed  and 
►f  them 

\.merica 
rants  to 
J  to  the 
)iy,  and 


( 


ICELAND'S  FUTURE. 


309 


menca, 

ire  now 

lom  are 

Four 

Ins  num- 

Luther 
who  is 

Olafur 
and  J6n 
ive  Ice- 
dencies. 
poetry 
Olafsson 
ans  by  a 
laska,  to 
nt  place 


for  the  Icelanders  to  make  a  settlement  in;  but  I 
have  grave  doubts  about  this  Alaska  business :  I  mean, 
about  its  expediency.  It  may,  however,  look  better 
in  time.  It  is  said  that  our  government  intends  to 
give  active  co-operation,  and  much  depends  on  this. 

"  So  long  as  Denmark  does  not  make  Iceland  per- 
fectly independent,  I  think  the  Icelandic  emigration 
will  increase  ;  and  I  see  no  hopes  that  more  will  be 
done  voluntarily,  at  any  early  day,  than  was  done 
last  2d  of  August,  when  the  Danish  king  gave  the 
island  a  new  constitution.  It  is  my  opinion,  however, 
that,  if  the  Icelanders  were  left  to  themselves,  they 
would  become  satisfied,  and  Iceland  would  soon 
have  five  hundred  thousand,  instead  of  seventy 
thousand  inhabitants.  The  island  is  large,  and  has 
great  resources  that  are  yet  undeveloped.  Their 
fisheries,  for  instance,  might  alone  return  a  revenue 
of  millions  and  millions,  instead  of  the  paltry  thou- 
sands that  are  now  realized.  A  nation  in  which 
every  man  is  educated  (and  such  is  the  case  in  Ice- 
land) has  great  possibilities,  if  it  is  let  alone ;  and 
we  may  yet  see  a  unique  republic  thrive  in  the  float- 
ing sanctuary  of  Gothic  liberty,  poetry,  and  liter- 
ature." 

It  is  not  impossible  that  the  locomotive  may  yet 
mingle  its  steam  with  that  of  sulphur  mountains  in 
Iceland.  Although  now  only  horses  carry  burdens, 
enterprise  may  yet  build  short  railways  from  those 
exhaustless  mines  to  the  nearest  ports.  Stranger 
things  have  been  done  already  in  remote  lands,  un- 
til the  "  iron  horse,  whose  sinews  are  of  steel,  and 
whose  provender  is  fire,"  thunders  over  Asiatic  plains 
and  Egyptian  deserts. 


m    ii 


m 


IVJ 


310 


T/IE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


f;,tfj 


P  f-f  1 


iUili 


Already  the  telegraph  has  been  in  prospect.  In 
influential  quarters  in  England,  a  North-Atlantic 
line  from  Scotland  to  the  Faroes,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles;  thence  to  Iceland,  three  hundred  and 
fifty  more ;  next  touching  Greenland,  five  hundred 
farther  ;  and  landing  the  American  end  of  the  cable 
on  the  coast  of  Labrador,  —  has  been  earnestly  advo- 
cated. 

Sixty  years  ago,  among  prominent  statesmen,  a 
scheme  for  the  annexation  of  Iceland  to  England 
was  agitated ;  an  arrangement  which  would  give  that 
realm  resources  of  vast  importance,  and  bind  to- 
gether kindi'ed  nations.  Such  a  transfer  of  alle- 
giance, however,  seems  now  quite  improbable.  And 
yet,  amid  the  increasing  changes  in  political  and 
social  existence,  along  with  impending  crises  whose 
results  no  political  seer  can  estimate,  the  future  of  a 
deeply  interesting,  but  hitherto  almost  unknown  and 
unmolested  people,  can  only  be  the  object  of  purest 
speculation. 

But  whatever  there  may  be  in  the  future,  of 
progress  and  increased  intercOlirse  with  nations  of 
greater  commercial  activity  and  social  refinement, 
it  is  to  be  devoutly  hoped,  that  the  vices  of  outside 
civilizations  will  not  weaken  the  sterling  integrity  of 
the  prevailing  character  of  the  people,  nor  their  sim- 
ple, intelliger  *■  faith  in  God.  Material  growth  at  the 
expense  of  moral  stamina  has  always  been  the  fasci- 
nating, deceptive  process  of  national  decay  and  death. 

We  copy,  as  a  curiosity  of  the  kind,  a  poster  of  the 
third  public  service,  which  was  very  conspicuous 
along  the  streets  of  Reykjavik,  before  the  Millennial 
Jubilee. 


It  i 


A   UNIQUE  POSTER. 


811 


5ct.  In 
Atlantic 
red  and 
red  and 
lundred 
ae  cable 
[y  advo- 

smen,  a 
ngland 
ive  that 
)ind  to- 
of  alle- 
B.  And 
Lcal  and 
8  whose 
;ure  of  a 
own  and 
►f  purest 

tiire,  of 
,tions  of 
inement, 
I  outside 
3grity  of 
heir  sim- 
th  at  the 
the  fasci- 
id  death, 
ter  of  the 
ispicuous 
lillennial 


THE  THIRD  ACT  OF  THE  MILLENNIAL  DRAMA. 


PJODHATID. 


OSKJU  HLID 

2an  August,  1874. 

Kl.  3i  e.  m. 
safioMt  menn  saman  £  Austurvelli,  eg  er  setlast  til,  ad  menn  gangl 

padan  I  fylkiug, 

6  i  rod,  a  hatldarstadinn. 
El.  4-  Gi  e.  Di. 

Bsedur  og  songvar. 

Kl.  6i-lli  e.  m. 

Skemtanlr,  svo  sein  songiir,  hljddfserasKttur. 

dans,  o.  fl. 

El.  Hi  e.  m. 

i'lugeldar  miklir 

LTTLU-OSKJUHUD. 

Bjerhver,  sem  saeldr  h^tidna,  og  dskar  ad  verafyrir  inuan  hid  hrein- 
Bada  sv^di,  fuUordnir  edur  born,  eru  Bkyldir  ad  bera  merki,  er 
kostar  16  sk.,  og  fsest  keypt  i  solubiidum  herra  Consul  M.  Siuitos  og 
hera  kaupmanns  V.  Fisliers,  h^r  i  b8enum. 

It  was,  of  course,  after  the  fashion  of  all  posters,  ai  very  large 
and  very  small  letters.    The  following  is  the  translation  :  — 

NATION'S  HIGH  TIDE  (THJODHATID) 

At  Oskjuhlid  (Basket  Slope  Hill,) 

August  2, 1874, 

at  3i  P.  M., 

the  people  will  gather  together  at  the  east  wall  (Austervelli),  and  it 

is  meant  that  the  i)eople  go  thence  in  procession,  six  abreast,  to  the 

festin  place. 

From  4  to  GJ  o'clock. 

Speeches   and  Songs. 

From  6i  to  Hi, 
Amusements,  such  as  Songs,  Music,  Dancing,  &c. 

From  Hi, 
Fireworks  (Flugeldar  Miklir);  literally,  great  flying  fires. 

Each  one  who  seeks  the  high  tide,  and  wishes  to  be  inside  the 
cleared  space,  must  wear  a  badge,  which  costs  16  shillings  (8  cents.) 


II  Mmiis) 


;':  i1 


H' 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

rhe  Millennial  at  the  West.  —  Norsemen  In  Prairie-Land. — First 
Icelaiidic  Service.  —  The  Sermon.  —  Speeches.  —  Banners.  —  My 
Native  Land. 

A  NORSE  millennial  in  Prairie-land  I  The 
cycles  of  history  are  forever  mocking  all  hu- 
man wisdom,  and  bringing,  in  their  sweep,  impress- 
ive or  startling  surprises. 

The  descendants  of  the  vikings  of  many  cent^  is 
ago  are  seeking  a  home,  not  only  on  a  cont  j 
their  gaUeys  touched  before  the  parents  of  Colum- 
bus were  born,  but  among  the  relics  of  races  of 
whose  origin,  and  of  whose  advent  here,  no  records 
can  tell  us  ;  their  mute,  uninscribed  mounds  as  yet 
giving  no  certain  answer  to  the  questioning  of  the 
antiquarian. 

Aug.  2,  1874,  the  Norse  population  residing  in 
and  near  Milwaukee,  including  about  seventy  native 
Icelanders,  gathered  in  the  Danish  Lutheran  Church 
oi  Pastor  Gulmuyder. 

The  usual  service  introduced  the  sermon  by  Prof. 
J6n  Bjarnasson.  An  outline  of  this  first  Icelandic 
sermon  upon  his  native  island,  by  one  bom  and  edu- 
cated there,  will  have  an  interest  independent  of 
any  views  of  a  purely  religious  character ;  the  more 
BO,  as  even  these  represent  the  prevailing  sentiment 

812 


A  8F.RM0N. 


813 


of  the  people,  and  not  of  a  single  or  several  ecclesi- 
astical organizations. 

He  preached  from  the  text  appointed  for  all  the 
ministers  of  Iceland  as  their  theme  on  the  Millennial 
Sunday.  It  is  found  in  the  Book  of  Psalms,  xc.  1-4, 
12-17.  He  showed  how  Jehovah  had  been  the  ref- 
uge of  the  Icelanders  during  all  the  generations  for 
the  thousand  years  since  the  settlement  of  their 
island ;  that  the  people,  few  in  numbers,  like  Israel  in 
olden  time,  had  been  kept,  in  a  wonderful  mnnner, 
from  destruction.  In  illustration,  he  noticed  some  of 
the  most  important  events  in  the  history  of  Iceland, 
from  the  land-taking  (land-nam)  time  to  the  present. 
In  the  heathen  age,  the  forc^fathers  were  led  away 
from  their  native  land,  to  tli  cold  and  lonely  island 
in  the  great  northern  ocean,  that  they  might  be 
taught  their  own  weakness,  as  compaitjd  with  his 
omnipotent  grace.  It  was  just  the  right  place  to 
tame  the  proud  viking  race,  trusting  in  their  own 
might  and  strength.  It  was  also  a  resting-place  for 
the  heroes,  weary  with  fighting  and  the  tumults  of 
war.  The  Pagan  religion  prevailed  in  Iceland  long 
enough  to  prepare  the  people,  by  softening  their 
hearts,  and  awakening  a  longing  for  Christ's  redeem- 
ing word.  To  show  how  near  the  most  educated 
Icelanders  in  the  first  century  of  their  history  we;*e 
to  Christianity,*he  referred  to  Ingemund  the  Old, 
the  heathen,  who,  dying,  prayed  God  to  pardon  his 
enemy  who  had  slain  him  ;  and  Thorkel  Ulaane, 
who  would  worship  no  other  god  but  Him  who  had 
created  the  sun,  and  in  his  death  prayed  to  the 
Father  of  light  that  he  should  be  a  light  unto  hid 
spirit  in  tlie  darkness  of  death. 


S7 


B14 


THE  ISLAND  01    FIRE. 


IM 


,'    ' 


In  brief  outline,  the  events  in  Icelandic  history, 
after  the  introduction  of  Christianity,  were  sketched* 
the  establishment  and  development  of  a  govern- 
mental system,  which  is  gradually  becoming  more 
and  more  recognized  among  the  civilized  nations  of 
the  earth,  as  the  one  which,  in  its  fundamental  prin- 
ciples, better  than  any  other  corresponds  with  the 
spirit  and  spread  of  Christianity ;  the  creation  and 
preservation  of  wise  statutes,  the  main  pillars  of  a 
free  and  progress^ive  commonwealth,  and  which,  in 
new  forms,  have  been  called  to  life  among  some  of 
the  noblest  and  mightiest  nations  of  the  eartli.  The 
discovery  of  America,  the.  new  world  of  civilization 
and  Christianity,  was  no  unimportant  part  of  the, 
mission  of  the  Noi*semen.  And  now,  just  at  the 
close  <:  f  the  first  period  of  p  thousand  years,  Jeho- 
vah called  to  the  children  of  the  land  once  more 
with  his  mighty  voice,  "  Ccme  again  I  "  This  voice 
they  had  to  obey ;  and  thus  Icelanders  had  returned 
to  America ;  and  on  this  day  a  little  band  were  j^ath- 
ered  here,  also,  in  the  far-off  America,  to  praise  the 
Lord  for  their  history  through  the  many  bygone  cen- 
turies; and  with  pious  devotion  to  get  new  courage, 
a  rejuvenated  strength  of  faith,  to  work  in  the 
future ;  and,  by  a  Christian  life  in  this  land,  call 
back  to  memory  the  recollection  of  the  first  visit  of 
Icelandei-s  to  this  part  of  the  worW,  in  a  brighter 
and  fairer  light. 

And  then  the  treasures  of  literature,  especially  in 
history  and  poetry,  which  had  been  produced  in  the 
poorest  and  most  isolated  country  in  Christendom, 
had  been  written  in  their  own  pure  and  powerful  ver- 


A  SERMON. 


315 


nacular  ;  and  that,  too,  in  an  age  when  the  European 
nations  generally  were  in  a  state  of  mental  letliargy, 
and  Christianity  withered  among  the  nations  ;  when 
the  little  that  wjis  written  was  composed  in  a  foreign 
tongue  that  had  long  been  dead,  and  which  the  mass 
of  the  people  did  not  understand.  The  Icelandic 
language  contained  the  key  to  the  history  of  the 
(lark  middle  ages. 

Pjissing  over  to  the  evil  days  of  Ic^3land,  when  its 
liberty  was  taken  away,  Prof.  Bjarnasson  spoke  feel- 
ingly of  his  native  island,  in  its  time  of  trouble 
and  misfortune  ;  but  pointed  with  pride  to  the  fact, 
that  the  Church  of  Christ  had  perj^aps  never  flour- 
ished more  at  any  time,  than  just  during  the  saddest 
period  of  political  oppression. 

God  had  also  spoken  to  the  Icelanders  through 
volcanic  eruptions,  earthquakes,  inundations,  t'e- 
structive  epidemics,  famines.  His  voice  in  tlie  ele- 
ments had  been  loud  and  clear;  and  thn)ugh  all 
these  things  he  had  drawn  the  heart  of  the  Iceland- 
ers to  himself.  It  was  a  wonderful  miracle,  that,  in 
view  of  all  oppression  from  an  unfriendly  govern- 
ment, and  the  inclemency  of  the  elements,  the  Ice- 
landic people  still  existed,  and  could  praise  the  holy 
Dame  of  God,  after  a  life  of  one  thousand  years. 
The  professor's  sermon  was  very  eloquent  and  inter- 
esting. 

After  the  service  at  the  church,  the  Icelanders 
congregated  outside  the  church,  to  move  in  proces- 
sion to  a  park  which  they  previously  had  engagtul 
for  the  festivities  of  this  day.  The  procession  was 
led  by  two  standard-bearers,  clad  in  the  recently 


Hi 


V    i 


I; 


:  'i 


I' 


'4: 


H  I 


R^  ^ 


I 
I!  I  111 

i   , 
II 

li 


-1 


t: 


816 


TEE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


restored  Icelandic  costume,  which  is  very  pretty  and 
appropriate.  One  of  them  carried  the  star-spangled 
banner,  the  other  the  national  Icelandic  banner, 
which  represents  the  "falco  Islandicus"  on  a  sky- 
blue  background.  The  standard-bearers  were  fol- 
lowed by  the  men  g,nd  then  the  women ;  some  clad 
in  their  classical  and  poetical  skaut-costume,  while 
others  wore  their  no  less  elegant  and  becoming  cap- 
dress.  There  being  free  admission  to  the  park  for 
everybody,  a  large  number,  in  addition  to  the  Ice- 
landv^rs,  congregated,  chiefly  of  Scandinavians.  The 
flags  were  placed  in  an  appropriate  place,  and  the 
people  rested  a^  while.  The  skaut  is  a  large  white 
head-dress. 

After  a  brief  interval  of  rest,  the  celebrated 
Icelandic  poet  and  republican,  Jdn  Olafsson,  ascended 
the  tribune,  and  delivered  the  speech  of  the  day. 
He  recounted,  in  appropriate  words,  the  political 
events  in  the  history  of  Iceland,  and  grew  especially 
eloquent  when  he  spoke  of  its  struggle  for  independ- 
ence during  the  last  century ;  which,  in  spite  of  the 
new  constitution  that  had  been  given  to  Iceland  this 
year  by  the  Danish  king,  certainly  would  be  contin- 
ued in  the  future.  He  wished  the  dear  land  of  their 
fathers  success  and  prosperity  in  this  struggle,  and 
asked  for  the  blessings  of  heaven  for  the  Icelandic 
nation  ;  and,  finally,  requested  all  present  to  drink  a 
cup  of  gladness  for  Iceland,  which  was  done  with  re- 
peated shouts  of  "  Hurrah  I "  Then  an  earnest  speech 
was  delivered  by  Olafur  Olafsson,  in  regaj'd  to  the 
Icelanders  who  have  emigrated  to  America ;  encour- 
aging them  to   preserve   unity  and   brotherly  love 


ADDRESSES. 


817 


•etty  and 
spangled 

banner, 
a  sky- 

ere  fol- 
•me  clad 
,  while 
mg  cap- 
park  for 

the  Ice- 
s.  The 
and  the 
je  white 

lebrated 
scended 
the  day. 
political 
pecially 
depend- 
5  of  the 
ind  this 

contin- 
of  their 
?^le,  and 
ielandic 
drink  a 
v^ith  re- 
i  speech 

to  the 
3ncour- 
[y  love 


towards  each  other.  The  theological  student,  Paul 
Thorlaksson,  spoke  in  Norse  for  America,  the  adopted 
land  of  the  emigrated  Icelanders.  He  called  attention 
to  the  Norsemen,  as  that  part  of  the  American  people 
which  the  Icelanders  especially  ought  to  regard  as  their 
brothers  and  friends  ;  first,  on  account  of  the  old  re- 
lationship, but  not  less,  because  they  (the  Norsemen) 
had  received  the  Icelanders  in  this  country  with 
open  arms  and  cordial  friendship.  He  closed  by  ex- 
pressing their  most  hearty  thanks  of  his  countrymen 
to  the  Norsemen.  For  this  speech,  the  Rev.  Gulmuy- 
der,  with  thanks  in  behalf  of  the  Norsemen,  in  well- 
chosen  words  wished  the  Icelanders  success  and 
prosperity  in  America.  Then  the  audience  was  ad- 
dressed by  Prof.  Jdn  BJarnasson,  who  spoke  of  the 
Icelandic  tongue,  encouraging  his  countrymen  to 
esteem  it  an  honor  to  preserve  the  dialect,  in  this 
land  also,  as  pui-e  as  possible.  Finally,  J6n  Olafsson 
ascended  the  tribune  the  second  time,  te  remind  the 
Icelanders  of  some  very  notable  foreigner,  who,  in 
these  later  times,  had  turned  up  as  friends  of  Ice- 
land, —  the  celebrated  poet,  Bjornstjerne  Bjornson^ 
who,  by  his  excellent  articles  about  Iceland  in  "  Norsk 
Folkeblad,"  had  awakened  so  great  interest  in  is^or- 
way  for  the  people  in  their  renewed  political  strug- 
gle. But  especially  did  he  speak  of  the  scholars  in 
America  who  during  this  year  had  shown  so  much 
attention,  and  done  so  great  honor,  to  Iceland,  by 
sending  to  that  remote  island  a  large  collection  of 
books.  Prof.  W.  Fuk^  of  Cornell  University,  in 
Ithaca,  N.Y.,  was  the  one  scholarly  American  who 
had  done  the  most  in  this  matter;  and,  among  the 

27* 


P 

lib 

i, 


318 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


(i^ 


Norsemen,  Prof.  R.  B,  Anderson  of  the  University 
of  Wisconsin,  in  Madison.  Both  were  warmly  inter- 
ested in  Iceland  and  its  future  history.  They  had 
both  been  invited  to  the  Millennial,  but  were  enable 
to  gladden  the  hearts  of  their  Icelandic  friends  by 
their  presence.  Therefore,  before  the  celebration 
closed,  three  rousing  cheers  for  these  honored  friends 
of  Iceland  were  given.  Theirs  was  the  last  toast, 
and  it  was  drunk  with  intense  enthusiasm.  Between 
the  speeches  several  Icelandic  songs  were  sung,  and 
some  of  the  Scandinavians  took  part  in  these.  Dur- 
ing the  celebration  the  most  perfect  order  prevailed ; 
and,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  all  went  home 
in  excellent  spirits,  having  celebrated  the  first  Ice- 
landic festival  in  the  New  World  with  far  greater 
success  than  was  anticipated  by  the  most  sanguine 
Icelander  or  Norseman. 

Prof.  Anderson's  address  was  an  eloquent  tribute. 
He  said,  — 

"  It  is  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  me,  that  I  have 
an  opportunity  to  speak  to  my  Icelandic  friends  on 
this  their  day  of  festivity. 

"  I  have  for  several  years  spent  a  part  of  my  lei- 
sure hours  in  studying  the  songs  and  Sagas  of  your 
ancestors ;  but  I  never  ventured  even  to  hope  that  it 
ever  should  be  permitted  me  to  speak  face  to  face  with 
the  descendants  of  Ingolf  and  Lief,  and,  least  of  all, 
here  in  the  remote  West.  It  is  not  more  than  a  year 
since  I  met  the  first  Icelander.  I  visited  him  in  his 
own  home  in  La  Crosse.  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
talk  with  him  about  Iceland  and  its  Sagas ;  and 
heard,  foi'  the  first  time  in  my  life,  the  language  of 


iii I  f « 


PROF.   ANDERSON'S  ADDRESS. 


319 


my  ancestors.  He  was  friendly  and  hospitable ;  but 
what  interested  me  most  of  all  was,  that  he  actually 
was  an  Icelander. 

"  Since  then,  I  have  had  the  honor  and  pleasure 
of  receiving  visits  from  several  excellent  Icelanders ; 
and  among  these  are,  especially,  your  celebrated 
skkld  and  republican  J6n  Olafsson,  and  your  thor- 
ough linguist  and  theologian  Paul  Thorlackson,  who 
is  no  less  genial  as  a  companion  than  he  is  proficient  in 
his  scholarship.  I  need  not  assure  you  that  I  value 
their  visits  very  highly,  and  that  both  of  them  com- 
pletely have  won  my  heart. 

"  I  love  the  Icelanders,  because  they  are  of  tho 
same  blood  as  I  am.  The  Icelanders  and  Norsemen 
are  one  people;  they  are  brothers  who  have  now 
been  separated  just  a  thousand  years ;  and  what  a 
remarkable  event  it  is,  that  we  now  meet  again  in  the 
distant  Vesterheim  (America) ! 

"  I  love  them  for  the  spirit  of  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence which  they  manifested  when  after  the 
battle  of  Hafi'fjord,  when  Harald  Haarfagr  usurped 
the  freehold  tenure  of  property  from  the  peasants, 
they  sacrificed  every  thing  to  protect  their  liberties, 
and  chose  to  leave  their  fertile  farms  in  Norway, 
risk  their  lives  on  the  stormy  sea,  and  settle  down 
amid  the  jokuUs,  glaciers,  volcanoes,  lava-streams, 
geysers,  and  gravel-deserts  of  Iceland,  rather  than  to 
surrender  their  udal-right  to  Harald  Haarfagr.  They 
demonstrated  the  truth  of  the  principles  laid  down 

the  Eld«r  Edda,  where  it  h 


■■4 


High  Song 


said,  — 


JWt      !| 


Si 


fl 


¥ 


: 


IT; 


■'I 

'A 


m 

i  ^0  |i 


if 


-'i 


320  THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 

'  One's  own  house  is  better, 
Though  it  be  humble  : 
Each  man  is  master  at  home. 
Though  a  man  own  but 
Two  goats,  and  a  willow-thatched  house, 
'Tis  better  tlian  begging. 
The  man's  heart  bleedeth 
At  every  meal- time, 
Who  his  food  beggeth.' 

And  standing  here,  as  we  do,  face  to  face  with  Ice- 
landers, we  Norsemen  cannot  but  feel  a  sense  of 
shame  in  behalf  of  our  ancestors,  when  we  reflect 
that  they  did  not  manifest  the  same  love  of  liberty 
as  your  own. 

"I  love  and  respect  the  Icelanders,  because  in 
spite  of  the  severe  climate,  the  long  winters,  when 
the  sun  nearly  or  entirely  disappeared  from  above 
the  horizon,  and  nothing  but  streaks  of  northern 
lights  painted  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  on  their 
gloomy  sky,  they  produced  sk&lds  and  saga-men,  who 
look  in  vain  for  their  peers  among  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth.  By  this  they  gave  evidence  to  the  human 
race,  that  it  is  liberty  that  unfolds  the  blossoms  of 
poetry  and  literature.  Was  it  not  in  the  time  of  the 
republic,  that  the  literature  of  Greece  blossomed 
most  luxuriantly?  Were  not  the  most  celebrated 
Roman  authors  produced  in  the  time  of  the  Roman 
republic  ?  Search  the  history  of  the  world  through 
and  through,  and  you  will  find  that  liberty  is 
the  grand  elixir  that  has  blessed  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  Nay,  where  thrives  aught  good  and  beautiful 
and  great  in  slavery  ?  Smother  the  pasture,  and  the 
grass  will  not  grow  green  ;  bind  the  eagle,  and  it  will 
die  on  its  lofty  pinnacle  ;  dam  the  stream,  that  hastens 


PROF.  ANDERSON'S  ADDRESS. 


321 


in  its  musical  meanderings  to  the  sea,  and  it  will 
Boon  turn  into  a  putrid  pool.  Nature,  strong  and 
free,  hates  all  bondage.  Can,  then,  the  fountains  of 
the  spirit,  the  flights  of  thought,  endure  bondage  ? 
Shall  truth  only  shine  beautifully,  locked  up  in  its 
own  heart,  like  lamenting  Aladdin  in  his  narrow  cave  ? 

'  No  press !  lift  thy  valiant  arms, 
Free  the  world,  in  all  thy  wrath, 
From  bondage.' 


(( 


Because  the  Icelanders  preserved  the  spirit  of 
freedom,  their  island  became  a  sacred  sanctuary  in 
which  the  old  Gothic  literature  was  preserved. 

»*  Yes,  Iceland  has  a  literature,  which  will  yet  be 
loved  and  admired  throughout  the  world.  The  time 
will  come,  when  Saemund's  Edda  and  Snorri's  Edda, 
Heimskringla,  Njalla,  Egill,  Skallagrims  Saga,  Lax- 
daela,  and  Graetti's  Saga,  will  be  found  in  the  house 
of  every  man  of  culture  and  letters  over  all  the 
earth. 

"  In  connection  with  this,  I  will  add  that  Iceland 
has  reason  to  be  proud  of  its  excellent  sons  which  it 
has  fostered  in  modem  times.  Vigfusson  and  Eiri- 
kur  Magnusson  and  J6n  Hjabtalin  are  worthy  repre- 
sentatives of  your  race  in  England  and  Scotland. 
The  world-famed  sculptor,  Albert  Thorwaldsen,  was 
an  Icelander.  A  friend  of  me  and  of  you.  Prof.  Fiske, 
recently  wrote  that  he  regards  Jon  Sigurdsson 
as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  now  living ;  wor- 
thy of  being  placed  by  the  side  of  Gladstone  in 
England,  as  a  scholar  and  a  statesman.  Permit  me 
to  propose  three  cheers  for  this  noblest  man  among 


It  I 


1 


?■ 


I« 


I 


!y 


J 


1 1  'I' 
I'l'' 


M 


s 


A 


It 

II  •if 


p 


11 
If  j 


','£1  < 


HI 


^1 


1 


322 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


the  Icelanders,  on  this  your  millennial  celebration. 
Long  may  he  live  I  Permit  me  also  to  remind  you 
on  this  your  day  of  festivity,  of  the  German  schol- 
ars, Ilonrad  Maurer  and  Theodore  Moebins,  the 
Englishman  Dr.  Dasent,  and  the  American  Prof. 
Fiske.  I  name  these  foreigners  to-day,  for  they 
have  all  distinguished  themselves  by  their  successful 
cultivation  of  the  Icelandic  literature  and  history. 

"  I  love  and  respect  the  Icelanders,  because  they 
never  permitted  despotism  to  quench  the  spark  of 
liberty  in  their  breasts,  but  even  now  dare  to  arise 
and  demand  a  recognition  of  their  rights.  No,  my 
friends,  the  spirit  of  freedom  has  not  been  dead 
these  five  hundred  years,  nor  disappeared  with  the 
outward  forms  of  liberty.  Through  these  five  hun- 
dred years,  the  spirit  of  freedom  has  shone  upon  their 
minds  and  hearts  like  the  glowing  colors  that  tint 
the  clouds  in  the  evening  after  the  sun  has  set.  The 
spirit  of  freedom  has  lingered  Irke  auroral  rays  over 
the  sunken  Iceland,  —  proofs  of  independence,  which 
have  been  developed  like  autumnal  flowers  in  this 
unfortunate  epoch  of  Iceland;  and,  in  the  present 
seventy  thousand  inhabitants  of  that  far-off  island, 
there  shine  no  less  than  seventy  thousand  stars  of  lib- 
erty. Yes,  my  friends,  there  is  hope  beaming  forth 
out  of  all  this.  Did  not  bright  rays  of  Icelandic 
independence  flash  from  the  Thingvalla  meeting  a 
year  ago  ? 

"  The  Icelander  can,  like  his  chill  and  austere 
island,  seem  cold  and  indifferent ;  but  in  his  veins 
the  blood  runs  warm  as  the  water  in  the  gey r  era. 

"I  have  only  to  add,  that  it  is  a  great  pleasure  to 


■;i[' 


PROF.  ANDERSON'B  ADDRESS. 


823 


me  to  meet  you  in  America,  the  land  of  liberty, 
where  the  banner  of  equal  rights  and  of  progress  is 
unfurled  to  the  breeze.  And  let  me  hope  that  you 
may  here  find  for  yourselves  and  for  your  chil- 
dren the  freedom  and  independence,  on  account  of 
the  loss  of  which  your  fathers,  a  thousand  years 
ago  this  summer,  left  Norway,  —  that  freedom  that 
your  people,  whom  you  left  behind  you  within  the 
ice-clad  walls  of  your  native  island,  are  striving  to 
re-establish.  Born,  as  I  am,  an  American  citizen,  I 
take  the  liberty  to  bid  you,  and  as  many  of  your 
kindred  as  desire  to  come  and  enjoy  freedom  to- 
gether with  us,  welcome  to  the  great  and  rich  and 
independent  America.  Here  is  ample  room  for  us 
all ;  here  every  one  may  think  and  speak  his  convic- 
tions ;  and  here  every  one  may  worship  God  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience. 

"  It  would  be  exceef^ingly  gratifying  to  me,  if  you 
could  find  a  place  where  you  could  form  a  settlement, 
in  order  that  you  may  be  the  better  able  to  extend 
to  each  other  a  helping  hand ;  but  especially  in  order 
that  you  may  be  able  to  preserve  for  yourselves  and  for 
your  children  the  dear  old  Icelandic  language,  and 
unite  your  strength  in  vindicating  the  claims  of  gen- 
uine Norseland  speech  on  American  soil. 

"  We  send  to-day  our  greeting  home  to  *  eyna  vid 
norduskant'  (the  isle  by  the  North  Pole)." 

In  connection  with  the  notes  upon  this  celebra- 
tion, we  have  the  views  of  Prof.  Bjarnasson,  upon 
the  general  moral  and  social  character  of  his  country- 
men, which  have  been  criticised,  often  unjustly  we 
think,  by  travellers.    He  wrote  in  pure  Icelandic, 


/ 


II 


and  Prof.  Anderson  translated  into  English.  They 
will  have  peculiar  interest,  from  their  simplicity  and 
truthfulness,  to  all  thoughtful  minds.     He  says,  — 

"  The  Icelanders,  I  believe,  are  quite  as  religious 
as  the  majority  of  the  Gothic-Germanic  peoples ;  but 
the  religion  is  more  of  an  intellectual  and  reflective 
than  emotional  character.  Hence  the  Icelander  is,  to 
a  great  extent,  a  stranger  to  fanaticism :  a  cool,  rea- 
soning reflection  is,  on  the  other  hand,  a  predominat- 
ing trait  in  the  spiritual  life  of  the  people.  Many 
strangers  have  thought  that  the  leading  tempera- 
ment of  the  Icelanders  is  the  phlejrmatic.  But  I 
think  this  to  be  a  mere  assertion,  founded  upon  a 
superficial  knowledge  of  the  people.  It  cannot  bb 
denied  that  the  Icelanders  frequently  appear  to  be 
quite  phlegmatic  ;  they  do  not,  as  a  general  thing, 
show  their  emotions  very  much ;  but,  that  this  is  far 
from  being  real,  any  one  may  convince  himself  by 
forming  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  them.  I 
am  more  inclined  to  believe  that  melancholy  is  their 
predominating  temperament,  of  course  not  without  a 
considerable  amount  of  the  phlegmatic.  The  Ice- 
lander is,  to  be  sure,  slow  to  receive  new  impres- 
sions ;  but  the  impressions  which  he  has  received,  he 
clings  to  with  the  greater  tenacity,  and  is  not  apt  to 
give  them  up  before  they  have  been  properly  ma- 
tured in  his  soul.  In  the  Sagas,  this  peculiar  trait  in 
the  character  of  many  Icelanders  is  expressed  by  the 
word  *  tortryggr^  that  is,  slow  of  confidence  in  all 
that  is  new  and  strange ;  but  also  furthermore  by  the 
words  *  tryggr  ok  vinfastr^  that  is,  faithful  in  friend- 
ship ;   likewise  by  the  word    '  langrakinn^    that  is, 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  ICELANDERS. 


325 


;| 


Blow  to  forget  (insults).  This  is  a  universal  charac- 
teristic of  the  Icelandic  people,  and  shows  itself  not 
the  least  in  their  religion.  This  manifested  itself 
already  at  the  introduction  of  Christianity  in  Ice- 
land. The  people  were  slow  to  give  up  heathenism : 
their  minds  had  to  have  time  for  preparation  and 
reflaction  ;  but,  when  Christianity  was  introduced,  it 
was  without  any  violence  whatever.  The  same  was 
the  case  with  the  reformation,  although  there  was 
at  this  time  some  bloodshed.  The  last  Catholic 
bishop  in  Iceland,  J6n  Areson  (1550),  was  be- 
headed; but  this  was  caused  by  personal  political 
interests,  not  by  the  change  of  faith.  The  Iceland- 
ers have  never  been  willing  to  believe  blindly :  they 
must  examine  for  themselves  the  Jocuiiie  which 
they  are  required  to  believe.  On  the  other  hand, 
there  is  no  doubt  that  many  a  zealot  will  be  inclined 
to  accuse  them  of  rationalism  on  account  of  their 
speculative,  investigating  nature ;  but  I  venture  to 
assert  that  true  religion  and  genuine  devotion,  as 
compared  with  other  peoples,  is  quite  general  in  Ice- 
land. From  olden  times  it  has  been  the  prevailing 
custom,  all  over  the  land,  to  engage  in  devotional 
exercises  every  day,  especially  during  the  winter. 
For  this  purpose  are  used,  on  the  week-days,  various 
short  devotional  chapters  from  older  and  more  mod- 
ern times  ;  while  on  Sundays,  and  other  sacred  days, 
sermons  are  read  from  so-called  house-postils  on  the 
\rarious  Gospels  of  the  ecclesiastical  year.  Among 
these  house-postils,  the  one  written  by  Bishop  J6n 
Thorkelsson  Vfdalin  (1720)  is  the  best  on  account 
of  the  heroic  Christianity,  unsurpassed  eloquence, 

28 


'■I 


826 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


thorough  classical  training,  peculiarly  northern  tone 
of  language,  and  glowing  warmth  of  faith,  of  its 
author.  The  home-devotion  in  Iceland  consists  not 
only  in  reaaing,  but  also  in  singing.  Both  before 
and  after  the  reading  quite  long  hymns  are  sung. 
During  no  season  of  the  year  is  family  devotion 
considered  so  important  as  during  Lent  (Quadra- 
gesima) before  Easter.  For  this  time  there  is  a 
special  set  of  devotional  books,  treating  exclusively 
of  the  sufferings  of  Christ.  Of  these  books,  we  may 
especially  mention  fifty  passion-hymns  of  the  minis- 
ter Hallgrimur  Petursson  (1674) ;  a  work  that  is 
universally  admitted  to  be  a  perfect  masterpiece  of 
literature,  which  has  stirred  every  Icelander's  heart 
to  the  bottom,  expressing,  as  it  really  does,  the  no- 
blest and  most  elevated  feelings  of  every  Christian. 

"  The  public  worship  always  begins  and  ends  with 
a  prescribed  prayer,  which  the  deacon  reads.  The 
sermon  ends  with  a  general  blessing  and  prayer. 

"Children  are  usually  baptized  a  few  days  after 
they  are  born,  not  in  the  churches,  but  at  home, 
both  on  account  of  long  and  diflBcult  roads  to  the 
churches,  and  on  account  of  the  severe  and  change- 
able weather.  The  youths  are  confirmed  by  the 
minister  at  the  age  of  fourteen  to  sixteen,  and  are 
prepared  for  confirmation  exclusively  at  home  until 
the  last  year,  when  they  are  instructed  by  the  minis- 
ter. The  ministers  usually  are  present  at  the  mar- 
riage-feasts, which  are  celebrated  throughout  the 
country  with  perhaps  too  great  expense.  Nor  are 
funeral-feasts  uncommon.  There  is  never  a  fuuerai, 
unless  the  minister  is  present,  who  then  throws  three 


m 


NORSEAfAfra  SONG. 


n2? 


Bniall  spades  of  dirt  on  the  grave ;  he  always  speaks 
to  the  mourners  in  the  church,  and  frequently  also 
in  the  house  of  the  departed  one,  before  the  coffin  is 
taken  to  the  graveyard.  Nearly  all  Icelandic 
churches  are  situated  in  the  graveyards,  wherefore 
every  corpse  is  brought  into  the  church  before  it  is 
buried.  A  solemn  hymn  is  always  sung  while  the 
grave  is  being  filled  with  dirt;  and,  when  this  is 
done,  the  funeral  company  usually  proceed  into  the 
church  again,  where  the  minister  reads  a  prayer. 
This  ends  the  ceremony." 

The  Millennial  Jubilee  was  not  only  celebrated 
throughout  Norway  and  Sweden,  but  also  in  parts 
of  England  and  Germany.  There  was  an  enthusi- 
astic celebration  in  Paris,  and  one  in  Rome.  It  was 
observed  by  Scandinavians  of  this  country  at  Chicago, 
New  York  City^  and  noticed  at  Cornell  University, 
Ithaca,  besides  a  few  other  places. 

We  close  these  annals  with  the  Norseman's  love  to 
his  own  colder  home,  expressed  in  lines,  — 

"TO  MY  NATIVE  IJLND." 

The  spot  of  earth  where,  f lom  the  heart  of  woe, 
My  eye  first  rose,  and,  in  the  purple  glow 
Of  morning,  and  the  dewy  smile  of  love. 
Marked  the  first  gleamings  of  the  Power  above,  — 


i 


kPi 


'm 


m 


<  I  i 


■I  ;li' 

Mi 


m 


"When,  wandering  at  its  birth,  my  spirit  rose, 
Called  forth  from  nothing  by  his  word  sublime. 

To  run  its  mighty  race  of  joys  and  woes, 
The  proud  coeval  of  immortal  time,  — 

Where  my  first  trembling  accents  were  addressed 
To  lisp  the  dear,  the  unforgotten  name; 

And,  clasped  to  mild  affection's  throbbing  breast, 
My  spirit  caught  from  her  the  kindly  flame,  — 


S*'  THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 

My  country !  have  T  found  a  spot  of  joy, 

Through  the  wide  precincts  of  the  checkered  eartht 
So  cabu,  so  sweet,  so  guileless  of  alloy, 
As  thou  art  to  his  soul,  whose  best  employ 
Is  to  recall  the  joys  that  blest  his  birth? 


i     f 


\m  I 


SUPPLEMENTAL  CHAPTER. 


Changes  in  Customs. —Pronunciation  and  Signification  of  some 
Words,  — Libraries  and  Newspapers.  —  The  Stiorn,  and  Transla- 
tions of  the  Bible.  —  The  Transition  from  I'aganism  to  Christian- 
t;  Ity.  —Ancient Courts.  —  Outlawry.  — The  Kali.  —  Btimt-Najal.  — 
The  Berkserkia  Lava.  —  Lava-Streams.  —  Salutations.  —  Sa<;red 
Melodies. — Epitaph.  —  Dr.  Henderson's  Tour.  —  The  Midnight 
Sun.  —  Absence  of  Forests  in  Landscape  Views.  —  Fishermen. — 

•  Icelandic  Birds  in  the  Museum  of  Central  l*ark.  —  Divisions  of  the 
Island.  —  Causes  of  Decline.  —  The  Coasts.  —  Temperature.  —  Nile 
of  Iceland.  — View  near  Lake  Myvatn,  the  Scene  of  llecent  Vol- 
canic Action.  —  Description  of  the  Calamity  —  Attractions  in  Ice- 
land for  Sportsmen.  —  Admiration  of  Tourists.  - 

After  these  sketches  were  in  type,  and  since  the 
first  edition  was  issued,  correspondence  with  Danish 
and  Icelandic  professors  at  the  West,  and  access  to 
other  authentic  sources  of  information,  have  fur- 
nished additional  items,  which  will  interest  those  who 
have  found  pleasure  in  the  annals  of  the  lone  island. 

To  follow  the  process  and  dates  of  transition  from 
ancient  to  modern  customs  has  not  been  attempted  ; 
but  simply  an  outline  picture  of  the  island  during  its 
thousand  yeai*s  of  settlement.  We  give  two  or  three 
illustrations.  Emigrants  of  intelligence  affirm  that 
the  form  of  hospitality  attending  "good-night,'' 
which  tourists  relate,  does  not  to  any  extent,  if  at 
nil,  exist  beyond,  it  may  be,  exceptional  cases  of  fa- 
miliar hospitality  in  the  domestic  sanctuary.  It  is 
also  stated  that  the  singular  method  of  lighting  the 


M 


il 


m 


329 


330 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


In 


f  \ 


humble  habitations  on  the  Westman  Islands,  during 
the  last  fifty  years  has  disappeared  ;  and  that  the 
deadly  disease,  which  for  centuries  prevailed  among 
children,  has  yielded  to  medical  skill,  and  no  longer 
makes  it  impossible  to  rear  them  there. 

In  the  spelling  of  Icelandic  words,  the  best  author- 
ities in  this  country  have  been  followed,  instead  of 
either  the  pure  Icelandic,  or  the  Continental  standard ; 
although  to  some  extent,  the  Norse,  with  the  marks 
of  accent,  occurs.  Consequently,  that  uniformity 
and  exactness  which  a  Scandinavian  scholar  might 
desire  was  quite  impossible.  In  some  future  edition, 
while  of  no  importance  to  the  general  reader,  a  closer 
conformity  to  the  foreign  standards  of  spelling  and 
pronunciation  may  appear.  By  those  foreign  author- 
ities, "  Norsemen  "  is  preferred  to  "  Northmen,"  and 
"Norse"  to  "Norwegian."  The  termination  "e" 
is  employed  instead  of  "  i "  in  proper  names ;  as 
"  Floke  "  instead  of  "  Floki,"  and  "  Bj^rne  "  rather 
than  "Bjk-ni."  "  *Pingvellir,"  or  "  Thingvalla," 
on  the  Continent  we  usually  find  written  "  Thing- 
void."  Now,  it  is  for  the  reader  to  decide  which 
spelling  he  prefers.  '        .- 

Hver  is  warm  or  boiling  spring ;  reyker,  one  that 
sends  up  steam-clouds ;  laug,  a  fountain  of  sufficiently 
high  temperature  for  warm  bath ;  and  nama,  boiling 
mud.  Solheimer  is  sun's  home,  or  "  sunny  home." 
"Reykjavik,  rej'^kja  is  gen.  plur.  of  reykr,  which 
means  smoke  ;  vfk  means  a  small  hay.  Dalr  is  valley  ; 
fiord,  frith  ;  fljot,  river;  foss,  a  fall  or  cataract;  tun, 
enclosed  field  around  a  house  ;  byre,  a  farm ;  bonder, 

*P=th. 


SIGNIFICATION  OF   WORDS. 


331 


a  fanner ;  holm,  a  rocky  island ;  wadmal,  coarse 
homespun  cloth.  Amptmand  is  deputy  governor  ; 
to  busk,  is  to  get  ready.  Except  Reykjavik,  there 
are  only  two  small  cities  in  Iceland,  —  Akureyri  on 
the  north  coast,  and  Isafjordr  on  the  north-west 
coast.  Oskjuhlid  is  a  small,  stony  bluff  in  the  near 
vicinity  of  Reykjavik;  oskju,  gen.  sing,  of  askja, 
which  means  a  small  round  box ;  a  butter-box  is  said 
to  have  been  lost  there,  and  thence  the  name ;  lilld 
means  a  sloping  hill ;  '  Seljadalr '  is  a  little  green 
valley,  through  which  the  road  leads  from  Reykjavik 
to  Pingvellir  (thing,  congress,  assembly,  and  vellir 
plur.  of  vollr,  a  plain)  ;  the  word  'seljadalr'  means 
the  valley  ('dalr')  of  'sels,'  *selja'  being  gen.  plur. 
of  sel,  which  means  a  shepherd's  hut  and  dairy  in  a 
mountain  pasture,  in  Norway  called  Saeter.  There 
have  certainly,  in  past  times,  been  such  shepherd- 
huts  in  this  valley ;  but  now  there  are  none.  *  Arne ' 
in  Taylor's  letters  must  be  '  Arnarfells-jokul,'  or 
'  Hofs-jokul,'  a  very  extensive  ice-plateau  in  about 
the  middle  of  Iceland.  The  largest  of  the  'jokuls' 
in  Iceland  is  the  *  Vatnajokul,'  the  jokul  of  waters, 
in  the  south-east  part  of  the  country,  embracing  one 
hundred  ;  id  sixty  geographical  square  miles. 

In  the  lies  from  the  Sagas,  the  translator's  or- 
thography as  been  follo;yved,  with  no  attempt  at 
critical  revision  with  regard  to  Norse  orthography 
or  accent. 

There  are  two  libraries  in  Iceland,  one  in  Reykja- 
vik, and  the  other  in  Akureyri.  The  one  in  Reykja- 
vik is  the  larger,  and  contained  in  1870  about  ten 
thousand  volumes ;  but  the  large  donation  of  books 


:;*!!. 


?;■       ).: 


i;    If- 


1 1-  f 


■l:;i'l    i         ! 


itpili:, 
lit    II! 

m 

U|.  „.)!j 


1 
I  t 

i. 


),     ! 


■  S 


I    4 
if 


'i  i 


h  A< 


i\ 


i 


lili, 
(1 


'till 


832 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


Ij 

% 

f  4i 

1 

i  ^ 

sent  from  America  in  1874,  on  the  occasion  of  tLe 
millennial,  together  with  additions  made  from  other 
sources,  has  no  doubt  increased  it  to  at  least  twenty 
thousand  volumes.  For  this  library  Iceland  is  in- 
debted to  the  celebrated,  enthusiastic  Danish  scholar, 
Prof.  C.  C.  Rafn.  By  his  untiring  efforts,  libraries 
were  established  both  in  Iceland  and  in  Tborshafn, 
on  the  Faroe  Isles. 

Iceland  has  for  a  long  period  had  several  news- 
papers.      ■;  •^'  4^   .  '  :■•  !.v;   ;■'■•:>; -i'^w,-:. 

In  proportion  to  the  number  of  inhabitants,  the 
newspapers  have  a  large  circulation,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  all  Icelanders  are  not  only  ablo  to  read,  but 
like  to  read ;  and  especially  do  they  take  a  deep  in- 
terest in  all  matters  pertaining  to  their  own  country. 
There  k  scarcely  a  hamlet,  be  it  ever  so  humble, 
where  there  cannot  be  found  a  political  newspaper. 

The  two  oldest  papers  in  Iceland  are  "  Thodolfr," 
"  The  National,"  and  "  Nordanfari,"  "  The  Northern- 
Farer."      --iv     '-.r-'^v^  4.' >  «;^^w;jki.  •...:' s-:!.:,.." 

"  Thodalfr"  has  lately  changed  hands,  and  is  now 
owned  and  edited  by  the  most  famous  living  poet  of 
Iceland,  Matthias  Jochunson.  This  paper  is  excel- 
lently edited.  It  contains  editorial  leaders  which 
manifest  a  patriotic  interest  in  the  affairs  of  Iceland ; 
it  gives  a  synopsis  of  the  q;^ost  important  events  from 
the  political  arena  of  the  great  nations  ;  it  furnishes 
correspondence  from  Copenhagen  and  London ;  and 
criticises  every  thing  of  importance  in  literature, 
especially  if  in  any  way  touching  Iceland.  It  is 
printed  on  good  paper,  in  clear,  readable  type. 

"  Nordanfari "   is  published  at  Akureyri,  in   the 


II 


NEWSPAPERS. 


333 


of  the 
n  other 
twenty 
i  is  in- 
scholar, 
libraries 
orshafn, 

il  news- 

nts,  the 
•  to  the 
ead,  but 
leep  ill- 
country, 
humble, 
paper, 
lodolfr," 
orthern- 

is  now 
poet  of 
s  excel- 
which 
celand ; 
nts  from 
urnishes 
on  ;  and 
;erature, 
It   is 

in   the 


north  of  Iceland,  by  Bjorn  Jonsson,  and  is  in  every 
way  a  respectable  paper,  but  has  not  the  literary 
ability  of  "  Thodolfr." 

In  the  struggles  agiiinst  the  oppression  of  Iceland 
by  this  Danish  government,  "  Thodolfr  "  and  "  Nor- 
danfari "  fearlessly  defended  the  cause  of  Iceland ; 
and  these  papers  were  supported,  on  one  hand,  by 
Jon  Sigurdsson,  a  most  excellent  Icelander,  who  at 
present  resides  in  Copenhagen,  takes  a  most  intense 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  Iceland,  and  under  his  aus- 
pices is  published  an  Icelandic  annual  called  "  Ny 
Felagerit,"  which  of  course  also  supported  the  na- 
tional cause ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  by  the  very 
talented  and  energetic  poet  J6n  Olafsson,  who  is  now 
in  Alaska,  in  company  with  two  other  Icelanders,  to 
see  whether  this  American  possession  is  suitable  for 
an  Icelandic  colony.  This  J6n  Olafsson  edited  an 
able  paper  called  "  Gongu-Krolfr,"  but  the  Danish 
governor  of  the  island  charged  him  with  high  trea- 
son :  he  was  found  guilty  by  a  Danish  court,  and 
fined;  and,  although  the  fine  was  paid  by  a  volun- 
tary subscription  from  Mr.  Olafsson's  friends,  he  still 
found  it  advisable  to  leave  the  country,  and  so  he 
came  to  America ;  and  his  paper,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  stopped. 

A  paper  called  "  Islendingur "  (The  Icelander) 
flourished  some  years  ago  in  Reykjavik ;  but,  if  the 
writer  mistake  not,  it  died  and  was  buried  in  the 
year  1865  or  1806. 

Then  we  have  "  Timiun "  (The  Times),  which 
was  started  in  1871,  neutral  in  its  tendencies,  and,  so 
far  as  we  know,  still  flourishing. 


>'■    ■ 


m 


■.\m.\ 
I  Bill  ■ 


:<  1 


II 


534 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


m 


Finally  "  Vikverji "  was  started  in  1873,  and  took 
a  decided  position  in  favor  of  the  Danish  government. 
What  the  political  tendencies  of  that  paper  now  are, 
we  cannot  say  with  absolute  certainty,  but  we  should 
judge  that  it  has  taken  sides  with  the  national  party  ; 
for,  from  a  letter  written  by  the  poet  J6n  Olafsson, 
it  seems  that  he  is  a  correspondent  for  it.  It  may, 
therefore,  be  inferred  that  Danish  governmentisw  is 
a  "  lost  cause  "  in  Iceland. 

There  are,  besides  these  political  papers,  a  couple 
of  literary  magazines  that  do  the  Icelanders  marked 
credit ;  and  a  considerable  number  of  books  are  pub- 
lished in  Reykjavik,  the  famous  capital  of  Iceland. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Icelanders,  in  propor- 
tion to  their  numerical  strength,  need  not  be  ashamed 
of  their  periodical  literature. 

Of  the  ecclesiastical  annals,  which  include  so 
largely  general  history.  Prof.  Bjarnason  says,  — 

"  The  precious  '  Historia  Ecclesiastica  Islandiae  ' 
(i.-iii.  tomi,  4to.  Havniae,  about  1775)  by  Finnur 
Jonsson  (Finnus  Johannaeus),  bishop  of  Skdlholt 
diocese  in  Iceland,  1789,  is  indispensable ;  but  that 
work,  written  in  Latin,  is  very  difficult  to  get.  This 
work  was  continued  after  the  death  of  its  author, 
until  almost  the  middle  o\  this  century,  by  the 
Rev.  Pdtur  Petursson,  the  present  bishop  of  Iceland, 
*  Historia  Ecclesiastica  Isl.,'  one  volume  4to.,  edited 
in  Copenhagen,  about  the  year  1840." 

Formerly  Iceland  was  divided  into  two  dioceses : 
1  hat  of  Holar  embracing  the  northern  quarter;  and 
that  of  Skdlholt  embracing  the  eastern,  southern, 
and  western  quarters  of  the  country. 


DESCRIPTIVE  NAMES. 


3f^d 


Ac  the  beginning  of  this  century,  the  two  dioceses 
were  combined ;  and  the  names  of  the  Icelandic 
bishops,  residing  at  Reykjavik  or  in  the  vicinity  of 
it  for  the  last  half-century,  are  as  follows :  — 

Geir  J6nsson  Vidalin,  1823 ;  Steingrfmur  Jonsson, 
183G  ;  Helgi  Gudraundarson  Thordersen,  18G7 ;  and 
since  then  Petur  Petursson. 

A  traveller  in  Iceland  is  interested  in  the  signifi- 
cance of  descriptive  names, —  the  '*  vale  of  smoke,'* 
where  steam-jets  rise  in  the  air ;  "  valley  of  silence," 
a  dale  depopulated  by  the  plague  ;  and  so  with  nearly'" 
every  thing,  from  the  magnificent  jokul  to  the  soli- 
tary rock  amid  the  waves.  There  is  a  "  station  of 
swans,"  where,  on  a  lake,  they  gather  in  large  num- 
bers. 

A  little  farther,  were  the  Klaffci-hamars-rettor, 
or  the  "pens  of  the  cloven  precipice,"  which  are 
formed  by  a  tremendous  i-avine  hemmed  in  by  a 
river  and  mountains,  and  used  for  collecting  together 
the  sheep  in  autumn,  from  the  mountain  pastures. 
Nowhere  is  this  annual  gathering  more  romantic  and 
interesting.  The  converging  droves,  the  mountain 
fastness,  the  solitude,  and  the  echoes  of  the  bleat- 
ing, make  a  scene  beheld  only  in  volcanic  Iceland. 
Over  the  door  of  the  parsonage  of  Hrafnseyri,  in 
the  Syssel  of  Isaford,  in  the  north-western  part  of 
the  island,  the  following  inscription  greets  the  eye 
of  the  traveller:  — 


i 


i'jif  I 


I. 


11 


"'if ! 


■i: 


**  Intbanlibus  sit  Has  DoMua  Pax 
Et  Quies,  at  Exjeuntibus  Salus." 

Vreely  translated,  it  reads,  "  May  they  have  peace 


i.il: 


m- 


i 


336 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


\\\. 


m 


i 


r. 


fcv 


and  quiet  who  enter  tliis  dwelling,  and  safety  when 
they  depart ! " 

The  earliest  fragment  of  Bible  translation  found 
in  Iceland  is  that  mysterious  volume,  entitled 
the  "  STIORN,"  composed  by  Brandr  Jonson.  abbot 
of  Thyckvabae  Monastery,  about  the  middle  of  the 
tliirteenth  century.  It  is  a  curious  mixture  of  He- 
brew history  and  purest  traditions  ;  mi  exceedingly 
rare  manuscript  of  887  folio  pages,  embellished  with 
a  variety  of  curious  figures,  done  with  red,  green, 
and  violet  tints,  from  natural  products  of  the  island. 

The  annals  begin  with  the  creation,  and  close  with 
the  Je^vish  captivity.  They  were  written  according 
to  the  mandate  of  Kins?  Mfisjnus  Haconson  of  Nor- 
way,  who  was  famous  for  reducing  the  laws  of  the 
realm  to  one  code ;  the  name  Stlorn,  signifying  gov- 
ernment or  direction,  and  indicating  the  monarch's 
intention  to  make  theocratic  law  the  foundation  of 
his  own  legislation. 

The  true  pioneer  in  translating  the  Bible  into  old 
Norse  was  Oddur  Gotshalkson,  who,  when  six  years 
of  age,  was  sent  "o  Norway  in  the  care  of  an  uncle ; 
.where  a  few  years  later,  like  Luther,  the  light  of 
whose  reformation  had  reached  his  mind,  he  passed 
through  a  great  spiritual  struggle,  into  the  rest  of 
faith.  He  went  to  Germany  to  learn  more  fully  the 
new  doctrines,  and  heard  both  Luther  and  Melanc- 
thon.  Returning  to  Iceland,  and  fearing  the  wrath 
of  the  bishop  of  Skalholt,  in  whose  diocese  Oddur 
lived,  he  retired  to  a  cell  in  a  cow-house^  —  reminding 
one  of  the  manger  of  Bethlehem,  —  where,  undis- 
turbed, he  might  become  the  noblest  benefactor  c  J" 


TNTIiOnUCTTON  OF  CftRISTIANITY. 


337 


jis  native  land.  In  1539  he  completed  the  New 
Testament  on  the  farm  of  Reykium,  which  he  had 
leased  for  his  secluded  residence.  Christian  III.  of 
Norway,  ftfter  its  approval  by  the  university  of  his 
realm,  ordered  its  publication.  On  the  title-page  is 
a  cut,  representing  a  venerable  preacher,  before 
whom  stands  a  man  with  a  key  in  his  hanc ,  which 
another  is  trying  to  wrench  away ;  white-bearded 
monks  are  running  affrighted  from  them,  indicating 
the  effect  of  circulating  among  the  people  the  Word 
of  God. 

The  volume  was  printed  at  Oddur's  expense.  In 
1554  he  was  appointed  lawyer  of  the  northern  divis- 
ion of  the  island ;  and  lost  his  life  in  the  river  Laxa 
in  1556. 

It  was  not  till  1586,  that  the  entire  Scriptures 
were  given  to  1  lie  Icelanders  in  their  own  tongue,  by 
the  gifted,  devout,  beloved,  and  honored  Gudbrand 
Thorlakson,  bishop  of  Holum  ;  whose  means  failing, 
Frederic  II.  printed  them  by  his  own  liberality,  and  a 
tax  upon  the  native  population. 

A  few  additional  data  respecting  the  introduction 
of  Christianity  may  be  instructive.  In  981  Thor- 
wald  Kodranson,  a  pirate,  was  baptized  by  a  bishop 
in  Saxony  named  Frederick,  was  his  guest,  and 
finally  took  him  to  Iceland.  This  missionary  went 
over  the  island  with  but  little  success.  Tliorwald 
having  killed  two  men  for  lampooning  him,  he  and 
the  bishop  left  the  country.  A  few  of  the  people 
had  been  baptized,  while  others  destroyed  their  idols, 
and  staid  away  from  the  temples.  In  984  the  first 
Catholic  church  was  built  by  Thorbard  Spakbodrar- 

29 


"      1 


^'         I 


n 


338 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


son,  amid  opposition  by  his  heathen  neighbors.  In 
996  King  Olaf  of  Norway  sent  Stifner  over  to  pros- 
elyte ;  converts  were  few,  but  the  spirit  of  inquiry 
went  abroad,  especially  after  the  legislation  of  Althing 
protected  the  spread  of  Christianity.  In  the  3'ear 
1000,  Hiallti  and  Gisur,  who  had  been  exiled  on 
account  of  their  faith,  returned,  and  with  seven 
others  went  to  Thingvalla  in  solemn  procession, 
bearing  crosses,  and  offering  incense.  The  effect  on 
the  great  assembly  was  very  impressive,  and  won 
adherents.  Then  followed  the  great  discussion,  else- 
where noticed,  and  of  which  we  have  no  record  in 
detail.  In  1057  an  Icelander  who  had  studied  at 
Erfurt  was  installed  bish  at  Skalholt,  and  held  the 
episcopal  office  till  1080,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  his  son  Gissur,  who,  to  meet  the  wants  of  the 
people,  established  another  episcopate  at  Holum,  in 
1107,  under  Jon  Agmundson. 

Early  Icelandic  jurisdictions  and  cares  were  pe- 
culiar to  their  own  nationality. 

The  priests  (the  godar),  or  pontiff-chiefs,  adini\- 
istered  religion  and  law ;  but  the  people  were  free 
to  choose  their  temple  of  worship.  The  power  of 
the  priests  was  personal,  not  territorial.  Thus  all 
around  the  coast,  and  in  valleys,  were  "  little  king- 
doms "  ruled  by  these  godar.  Each  convened  his 
adherents  and  retainers  at  stated  limes ;  and  the 
meetings  were  called  "  Things.''^  Quarrels  between 
separate  kings  were  settled  by  treaty  between  the 
priests,  or  war.  There  was  no  common  bond  nor 
central  power  for  sixty  years.  Frequent  feuds, 
therefore,  were  the  result.     While  Ulfljot  was  prepar- 


THE  COURTS. 


889 


ing  his  code,  his  foster-brother,  Grim  (goat-shoe  or 
cragsman),  travelled  over  the  island  to  select  a  place 
for  the  national  courts.  Thingvalla,  whose  broad 
lands  were  confiscated  because  their  owner,  Thor, 
had  committed  murder,  slaying  Kol,  was  chosen. 
Althing  opened  in  929-930.  It  was  both  deliberative 
and  executive ;  and  attended  with  solemn  sacrifices, 
great  festivals,  and  games.  The  parliament  and 
high  court  were  combined  in  Althing,  or  Congress 
and  superior  court,  and  was  composed  of  chiefs  and 
priests ;  and  was  an  aristocracy,  because  so  many 
were  chiefs,  and  a  "  common  man  was  so  uncommon." 
As  there  was  no  written  law,  a  "  speaker  of  the  law,'* 
the  Logsogumadr,  was  indispensable.  He  recited 
law,  and  expounded  the  enactments,  and  was  presi- 
dent of  Althing.  With  Althing  dates  the  common- 
wealth. 

An  aggrieved  man  could  go  to  the  one  who  had 
done  the  wrong,  and  demand  a  fine  ;  sometimes  the 
latter  claiming  to  make  his  own  award,  i.e.,  self- 
doomed,  or  revenge  with  arms,  or  resort  to  the  courts, 
with  the  evidence  of  others,  under  oath ;  and  by 
going  to  the  proper  quarter  court. 

Outlawry  allowed  three  years  for  leaving  the 
island,  with  certain  places  of  safet}^  and  the  right  to 
go  to  the  seashore,  to  find  a  ship  in  which  to  sail. 
If  the  outlaw  did  not  depart  during  that  period,  he 
became  outlawed  at  home,  and  could  be  islain  any- 
where, and  his  goods  confiscated. 

The  removal  of  Althing  from  the  grand,  historic 
Thingvalla,  thronged  with  stirring  associations,  and 
endeared  by  the  island's  best  sagas,  was  an  unpar- 


w  ■■    ■ 


!!ii 


:  , 


i  > 


I 


i! 


J      if 


I     Mi 


340 


Tin-:   ISLAND   OF  FIRE 


doiuvble  mistake  of  the  Danish  Government,  when 
regarded  only  as  a  means  of  national  culture,  and 
social  enjoyment.  There  the  people  loved  to  meet, 
revive  old  friendships,  and  recall  departed        ^y. 

The  kali,  the  ancient  domicil,  of  the  up^  classes, 
was  a  capacious  and  irregular  structure,  sometimes  a 
hundred  feet  m  length,  or  more.  Two  hearths  were 
under  an  opening  in  the  roof,  for  fires  ;  seats  of  honor 
at  one  end  and  the  sides  ;  lodging  rooms  under  the 
sloping  roof  around  it,  and  sometimes  in  chambers : 
^hile  there  were  at  the  front  apartments  for  storage 
of  the  viands.  Tables  and  benches  were  the  furni- 
ture within  the  large  hall.  Near  by,  and  separate, 
was  the  kitchen,  or  cooking  department. 

Such  establishments  gradually  disappeared  with 
the  changes  of  the  centuries,  until  the  present  style 
of  architecture,  already  described,  prevailed. 

The  Burnt  Najal,  translated  by  Dr.  Dasent,  of 
England,  is  a  saga  ot  great  popularity  in  Iceland. 
Unlike  the  story  of  Grettir  the  outlaw,  it  is  the  tragic 
narrative  of  a  pre-eminent  lawyer,  a  'r  odel  gentle- 
man of  the  times,  who,  as  the  result  of  the  sanguinary 
leuds  of  the  principal  families,  perished  in  his  own 
house,  fired  over  his  head,  and  all  escape  cut  off  by 
the  flames.  Next  to  him,  the  leading  hero  of  the 
saga  is  Gunnar,  a  dashing,  brave,  popular  man,  who 
also  came  to  a  violent  death.  Around  these  central 
figures,  are  gathered  many  domestic  broils,  revenges 
by  bloodshed,  and  trials  at  Thingvalla,  presenting  in 
the  shifting  scenes  all  the  phases  of  life  nine  cen- 
turies ago  in  Iceland  ;  from  the  gatherings  of  Vikings 
in  the  kali,  to  the  adventures  by  sea  aud  land,  assiissi- 


BERSERKIRS. 


341 


enges 
ing  ill 
ceu- 
ikings 
ssimsi- 


nations,  Things  and  Althing,  with  tlieir  manifold  and 
exciting  scenes,  which  made  their  sea-girdled  arena  a 
little  world  of  pageantry,  social  and   pnhlic  excite 
ments,  and  bloody  encounters. 

The  Berkserkia  lava,  in  the  syssel  of  Snaefellsness, 
is  one  of  the  relic-wonders  of  Iceland.  Vermund, 
who  spent  a  winter  in  Norway,  induced  two  of  those 
famous  champions,  the  Berserkirs,  to  return  with 
him,  to  aid  him  in  a  strife  with  his  brother  about  the 
division  of  property.  But  they  proved  to  be  too 
fierce  for  his  management,  and  he  craftily  transferred 
them  by  mutual  consent  to  his  brother  Styr.  One 
of  them,  Halli,  soon  fell  in  love  with  Styr's  daughter 
Asdisa.  The  conditions  of  such  an  alliance  were, 
the  building  by  Halli  of  a  gigantic  causeway,  or 
raised  path,  across  a  stretch  of  almost  impassable 
lava,  a  fence  of  that  material  around  his  possessions, 
and  a  house  for  his  flocks.  Styr  supposed  the  enter- 
prise impossible  of  achievement ;  but,  with  his  com- 
panion, it  was  soon  accomplished,  and  the  herculean 
work  is  still  traceable  in  the  ruins  which  remain. 

To  get  rid  of  the  Berserkirs,  Styr,  who  had  built  a 
bath,  invited  them  to  take  a  refreshing  ablution, 
when  he  put  down  the  trap-door,  turned  on  hot 
water,  and  so  scalded  to  death  his  troublesome  allies. 

In  the  south-western  part  of  the  island,  solid 
streams  of  lava  are  often  seen  of  great  width,  and 
many  miles  in  extent,  hardened  into  stone  during 
their  fearful  flow.  There  are  six  of  these  between 
Reykjavik  and  Cape  Reykianess.  Some  of  them  are 
so  warm  that  when  covered  with  snow,  and  the 
steam  thus  confined,  caverns  in  them  are  intolerable 
or.  account  of  the  sulphurous  fumes. 


m 


m 


342 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


}  t. 


i^r' 


•ii 


i  I 


{■   . 


The  ancient  custom,  not  uncommon  now,  of  salu- 
tations similar  to  those  of  Oriental  nations,  is  a  pleas- 
ant one.  When  approaching  a  dwelling,  the  traveller 
said,  "  Her  se  Gud,''  "  May  God  be  in  this  place ! " 
The  response  was,  "  Drottin  blessa  thik^*^  "  The  Lord 
bless  thee ! " 

On  leaving,  the  farewell  was,  "  Se  i  Guds  Fridi^'^ 
"  May  you  remain  in  the  peace  of  God !  "  The  reply, 
"  Guds  Fridi  veri  med  ydr,'^  "  The  peace  of  God  be 
with  you."  -- ''• -■^"^■'^  '^'- ■-'.'-;'■•.  .:\--';:^- 

These  salutations  often  broke  on  the  midnight  air, 
when  a  visitor  unexpectedly  roused  the  inmates  of  a 
solitary  house,  seeking  its  hospitality;  a  repulse  or 
complaint  never  met  the  untimely  intruder  upon 
nightly  repose. 

We  have  received,  from  Prof.  Bjarnasson,  Icelandic 
national  melodies,  whose  serious  undertone  is  en- 
tirely characteristic  of  the  people.  He  says  of 
them :  — 

"The  first  and  second  of  them  are  old  national 
ones ;  and,  as  for  tlie  best  of  those  hymns,  they  are 
both  funeral,  the  former  always  being  sung  while  the 
grave  is  filled  up  with  earth.  The  author  of  that 
hymn  is  the  most  celebrated  of  all  Iceland!';  psalmists, 
the  Rev.  Hallgrimur  P^tursson  (1674).  The  third 
melody  is  composed  by  my  father-in-law,  Pdtur  Gud- 
j6nsson,  organist  at  the  cathedral  of  Reykjavik,  who 
also  has  harmonized  the  other  two.  He  is  the  author 
of  an  Icelandic  cLoral  book  ('Islenzk  salma  songs-og 
messub6k.'  Kaupsmannahofn,  1861).  I  only  send 
these  melodies  lo  you  as  specimens  of  Icelandic 
church-music.     There  are   not  a  few  of  the   same 


;  I 


ICELANDIC  MELODIES. 


343 


kind.  As  you  see,  those  melodies  are  rendered  In 
the  thorough  bass.  I  send  you  a  prose  version  of 
the  first  of  those  hymns,  which  I  have  translated  into 
Norwegian  (Danish),  that  you  might  get  an  idea  of 
the  contents  of  one  genuine  Icelandic  hymn." 

We  give  specimens,  introducing  the  first  with  two 
stanzas  in  the  original.  Prof.  Anderson  has  made  a 
literal   translation,  without  an  attempt   at    metrical 


arrangement. 


"  AUt  eins  og  bl6mstrid  eina.** 


1. 


Ligesora.  den  fagre  og  frodige  Blomst,  der  tidlig  i  Morgen- 
stunden  fremspirer  paa  Mar  ken,  i  et  Oieblik  afmeies  og  med 
det  sam  me  nedlaeggcr  sine  farved  Blade,  saaledes  ender  det 
menneskelige  Liv  i  en  Hast. 


Saaledes  iler  saavel  den  spaede  Ungdora  som  dem  modigo 
Alderdom  henad  Dodens  dunkle  Vei.  Ailing  skrider  freni 
paa  den  san  me  Bane.  Fntet  Menneske  har  modtaget  Pant 
paa  sin  Levetids  Forloengelse,  ivertimod  have  Alle  maattet 
forpligte  sig  til  at  gaae  herfra.   <".        ^ 

SONG   NO.    1. 

As  the  fair  and  flourishing  flower,  that  early  in  the  morning 
hour  shoots  forth  in  the  field,  in  a  moment  is  cut  down,  and 
immediately  sheds  its  gorgeous  leaves,  thus  human  life  sud- 
denly ends. 

It  therefore  truly  seems  to  me.  that  death  may  be  likened 
unto  an  energetic  reaper,  who  cuts  down  all  that  comes  before 
hira,  and  regards  the  green  herbs,  the  beautiful,  shining 
flower,  the  reeds,  the  rushes,  and  the  fair  roses,  the  one  hs 
valueless  as  the  other. 


1 1. 1 

Bl!   j. 


f '! 


Ml  i 


'i;  f 


M 


«s  s 


i  i      !, 


344 


TffE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE 


I  live  and  die  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  Althongh  healtli  and 
life  depart  f\om  me,  I  fear  not  d«iath.  Death,  I  am  not 
alarmed  at  thy  mighty  power.  With  the  power  of  Chiist,  I 
exclaim,  Be  welcome  when  thou  comest  1 

II.      FIRST   STANZA. 

Let  mi%  O  Lord,  each  day  rememl>er  death  ,  and  let  me 
never  forgot  that  my  time  approaches  its  end.  Enligliten  my 
heart,  my  Lord  !  that  I  may  fear  thy  judgment,  which  will  be 
rendered  on  the  last  day.  Praise  God,  praise  him  all  who  can  I 
All  nations,  gladly  honor  him  !  '    ■• 


III. 


FIRST   STANZA. 


All  men,  in  all  lands,  praise  Jehovah  always.  Honor  the 
Lord  of  hosts  every  day.  As  liis  mercies  are  Laown  unto  the 
races  of  the  earth,  he  will  not  forget  the  inhabitants  of  this 
land.  He  is  firm  and  steadfast  i;i  Ms  love  to  us.  AH  that 
can  stir  the  breath,  honor  him.  A  J  that  is  born,  honor  him 
and  praise  him.     Amen.  ^ 

In  the  churchyard  at  Holt,  on  the  southern  coast,  is 

a  tablet  with  the  following  epitaph,  —  the  translatiun 

literal :  — 

"  Here  are  preserved 

the  mortrl  reitjains  — 

the  spirit  lives 

with  the  Father  of  spints; 

only  the  precious  iiieiuory 

of  Ami  Svirnoason  remains  behind. 

He  was  born  1  'Tov.,  1780; 

married  7  June,  1821,  with 

mai'len  Joruiui  Sif^hvatsdotter, 

who  still  survives  him  here  below. 

God  blessed  tlieiu  nith  tluee  sons, 

one  of  whom  fell  asleep  at  an  early  age; 

'-'  -^  —        the  other,  followed  by  three  children,      ;.- -- 

hiters  his  father,  who 

departed  this  life  25  June,  1853 

(durinii  the  absence  of  his  beloved  eldest  sou), 

after  having  been  mediator  of  the 

'  Arbitration  Court' for  twenty -four  years. 


DR.  HENDERSON'S  TOUR. 


845 


Calm  in  mind, 
firm  in  counsel, 
watchful,  active, 
his  friends'  friend, 
hospital,  bountiful, 
upright  towards  all, 
the  affectionate  father 
of  his  house  and  children. 
Therefore  vrill  many 


He  was 

sorely  miss  him, 
in  the  society  of  men; 
but  among  blessed  spirits 
will  the  gracious  God 
always  gladden  his  spirit 
with  pleasant  occupations. 
Thus  a  beloved  brother  is 
remembered  in  the  family, 
and  in  society.  —  E." 


When,  in  1815,  the  learned  and  devout  Dr.  Hen- 
derson was  making  his  tour  of  the  island  for  the 
distribution  of  the  Bible  in  the  native  dialect,  and  to 
establish  a  branch  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  while  travelling  from  Reykjavik  westward, 
he  found  at  Point  Kiliarness,  jutting  out  fri  m  Mount 
Esian,  the  ruins  of  a  Hof,  or  pagan  temple,  erected 
nine  centuries  ago.  Sailing  across  the  Whale  Frith, 
he  saw  at  Innraholm,  where  Chief  Justice  Stevenson 
had  a  tine  estate,  a  water-wheel  gristmill,  probably 
the  only  one  in  Iceland.  Farther  on,  at  Staffliolt, 
he  says  the  bleakness  of  the  mountain  and  desert 
scenery  was  relieved  by  the  number  of  swans  "singing 
melodiously  in  the  river; "  which  must  have  been  the 
whistling  variety  of  the  graceful  birds,  whose  notes 
are  not  unmusical  when  heard  in  the  distance. 

Journeying  northward,  he  passed  by  Bitrufoird, 
"  the  beautiful  ford,"  to  the  byre  of  Bae,  on  the 
Arctic  coast.  From  this  point,  he  struck  towards 
Borgaford,  southward  along  the  wild  pathway  called 
Malta-  Vorder-Heidi. 

When  he  reached  tlie  highest  patli  of  this  moun- 
tain road,  he  witnessed  a  scene  he  had  longed  to 
enjoy,  but  despaired  of  beholding,  —  the   unsetting 


I    ! 


346 


TDE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


if ;  -'i^Y^ 


midnight  sun.  There  it  hung,  apparently  motionl*-ss 
for  nearly  half  an  hour,  over  the  sea;  then  moved 
along  the  eastern  arc  with  a  slow  majestic  march, 
pouring  a  golden  flood  along  the  distant  fiords,  and 
bathing  the  solemn  summits  with  a  misty  and  myste- 
rious splendor.  Near  by  rose  the  Trolla-kyrkia,  <  r 
"Giant's  Church,"  a  wild  old  crater  lifting  its  fantas- 
tic, grim  walls  above  a  broad  belt  of  snow,  into  tlio 
softly  luminous  air;  and  away  to  the  south  spread 
inaccessible  wastes  dotted  with  lakes  glistening  in  the 
same  midnight  glory,  which  tipped  the  crystal  crowns 
of  the  distant  jokuls  with  a  golden  halo. 

Prof.  C.  W.  Paijkill  of  the  University  of  Upsala, 
in  his  very  interesting  journal,  writes  thoughtfully  of 
the  treeless  landscapes  :  — 

**  Woods  are  not  really  missed  here  ;  and  this  is, 
of  course,  owing  to  the  physical  appearance  of  Ice- 
landic nature.  When,  for  instance,  one  stands  on 
some  eminence,  and  looks  towards  a  mountain  scene 
some  nine  miles  distant,  which  is  clad  in  it  -.  dark 
biae  summer  dress,  or  whose  summit  is  enveloped  in 
a  cap  of  snow ;  or  else  if  one  sees  it  all  aglow  in  the 
rays  of  the  setting  sun,  the  absence  of  forest-tracts 
does  not  strike  the  mind.  Or,  if  one  gazes  on  a 
grassy  plain,  where  no  disfiguring  fences  obstruct  the 
view,  but  where  a  river  wuids  along  its  sinuous 
course,  or  a  lake  reveals  its  shining  surface  to  the 
eye,  the  senses  do  not  feel  the  want  of  forest-land, 
h*  a  plain  such  as  this  is  not  the  forest's  proper 
home ;  neither  in  their  absence  noticed  wiien  orazinGf 
)ver  the  barren  saadj  wastes,  which  one  knows  to  be 
jeriodicaily  deluged  by  the  destructive  v   -.,.;■  (-^  the 


if!  I 


I        :S 


WANT  OF  TREES. 


347 


Jokill,  01  when  wondering  at  some  rigid  lava-stream. 
And  fig'iinj  if  one  directs  the  eye  up  towards  the 
mountain  filofjes,  wliich  properly  should  be  the  forest's 
home^  it  imU  them  covered  with  such  a  brilliant 
carpet  of  mJ/ij^lcd  grass  a;xd  flowers,  that  no  wood  is 
needed  ;  or  else  they  are  so  steep  and  inaccessible, 
that  jt  would  be  childish  to  wish  it  to  grow  tliere. 
W^herever  one  turns  the  eye,  he  finds  an  ample  com- 
pensation; and  the  impression  which  the  mind  re- 
ceives is,  '  I  do  not  miss  the  forest.'  No,  the  feel- 
ings would  be  rather  outraged  were  the  prospect  to 
be  shut  out  by  forests.  Wherever  trees  do  grow  on 
the  sloping  side  of  a  field  or  a  heidi,  owing  to  their 
stunted  form,  they  resemble  more  a  mossy  carpet  than 
a  wood  ;  they  do  not  obstrilct  the  view,  and  therewith 
the  mind  is  content.  Thus  the  thought  of  the  non- 
appearance of  woods  or  forests  is  pushed  into  the 
background  by  the  magnificent  style  in  which  Nature 
has  revealed  herself  there ;  and  that  is  the  whole 
matter.  Truly  a  little  wooded  land  would  be  accept- 
able on  the  bare,  bleak  heights  round  Reykjavik ;  but 
the  sea-blasts  rage  there  with  such  violence,  as  to 
render  it  an  impossibility  for  them  to  thrive  there." 

Of  a  fine  cataract  he  adds,  — 

"  Under  the  magnificent  Eyafjalla-Jokul,  a  sudden 
bend  in  the  mountain  wall  presents  Skogafoss  to 
view,  —  one  of  Iceland's  most  beautiful  fosses,  falling 
perpendicularly  two  hundred  feet."  It  is  on  the 
southern  coast,  between  Holt  and  Skoga. 

There  is  no  travelling  in  the  winter,  excepting  by 
two  or  three  postmen  crossing  the  island,  and  often 
one  or  more  perish  every  season  among  the  moun- 


II 


W  ' 


h^ 


f ' 


til  I II 
m 


i  .^im 


348 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FIRE. 


tains.  The  families  are  shut  up  withi.  the  limits  of 
their  farm  and  its  immediate  neighborhood.  Towards 
Bpring,  the  fishermen  in  groups  move  in  the  light  of 
the  aurora  and  the  moon  towards  the  coast ;  and  in 
the  summer,  they  cross  the  country  to  the  trading- 
stations,  as  Fisker-manna-lester,  or  Fish-carriers, 
with  their  laden  ponies,  presenting  a  nomadic  appear- 
ance, transporting  one  in  imagination  to  Oriental 
lands. 

The  fishing-dress  of  the  Icelander  is  warm,  al- 
though without  a  redeeming  attraction  to  the  eye  ; 
made  of  sheep-skins,  the  short-clothes  and  stockings 
in  one  piece,  over  which,  at  the  hips,  the  jacket  is 
tightly  drawn  to  keep  ^  ut  the  water.  In  dressing 
hides,  and  in  all  their  dyeing,  they  use  their  native 
resources. 

The  fish  are  dressed  by  the  women,  generally, 
when  landed  by  tho  tired  fishermen  ;  and  <uther  laid 
on  the  rooks,  or  hung  in  an  open  binldlii}j!'  to  dry. 

These  hnbits  of  life,  like  their  stip(i. millions,  an- 
cient and  modern,  and  their  peculiar  social  principles, 
grew  naturally  out  of  their  isolated  situation,  their 
wonderful  scenery,  and  the  early  rule  of  the  priest- 
hood,—  as  very  finely  set  forth  in  Dr.  Dasf  uls 
Bumt-Najal. 

We  recently  found  in  the  Museum  of  Central 
Park,  New  York  (a  magnifioent  ereat^ion  of  American 
enterprise)  a  colloetion  of  Icelandic  birds;  among 
them  specimens  of  the  great  auk,  the  eider  duck, 
the  gannet,  and  the  fulmar  petrel. 

Iceland  is  now  divided  into  three  Amts,  or  districts, 
and  twenty-three  Sysla,  or  counties.    There  is  a  gov- 


ASPECT  OF  THE  COUNTRY 


349 


emor-general,  who  represents  the  Danish  govern- 
ment. 

After  enumerating  the  successive  monopolies  of 
Icehmdic  trade  by  Danish  merchants  under  author- 
ity of  the  crown,  from  the  latter  part  of  the  fif- 
teenth century  to  the  year  1788,  when  it  was  made 
free  to  all  Danish  subjects,  the  thoughtful  Hender- 
son adds,  "  It  is  chiefly  to  these  circumstances, 
that  we  are  to  ascribe  the  comparative  want  of  spirit, 
inactivity,  and  poverty,  which  characterize  the  pres- 
ent race  of  Icelanders.  Under  the  yoke  of  oppres- 
sion, the  noble  features  of  the  hiunan  mimd  contract 
and  decay ;  the  spirit  of  enterprise  is  damped :  and 
a  degree  of  constitutional  apathy  anc  indolence  ne- 
cessarily ensues." 

This  irregular  ellipse  of  igneous  origin  is  deeply 
indented  with  fiords  on  all  sides  excerting  the  south, 
where  the  shore  is  so  bold  there  is  not  even  a  port 
between  Burifiord  eastward,  and  Eyrarbakki  on  the 
west  where  Mr.  Bj'^rce  found  a  pi»ao,  and  listened  to 
mu^c  in  three  or  four  language**-  The  interior  is  a 
chain  of  jokuls  compost  d  of  volcanic  tufa ;  to  the 
northward  are  ranges  of  basaltic  fells.  Upon  the 
same  wonderful  margin  of  Northern  scenery  are  the 
Alpine  chasms*  glens,  and  heights  of  Oxnadais,  whose 
desolate  grandeur  overawes  and  fills  the  mind  with 
thoughts  which  no  language  can  clothe  in  speech. 

Wonder  has  been  expressed  at  the  temperature  of 
Iceland.  At  the  present  capital,  it  is  the  same  as  at 
Moscow,  Russia.  The  summer  average  is  53°  6'j 
and  the  winter,  29°  3' ;  and  the  whole  year,  39°  4'. 

There  are  no  reptiles  of  any  kind ;  ninety  species 

m 


1     i  t: 


.'■!■■  i 


f 

'l 

''   It  ^ 

1 

i 

'■'faMtl 
1  ■''"■ 

;   , 

1! 

! 
1 

r- 

'kd 

il 


■I  j 


■!      i 


350 


r/zF  ifif.ANn  OF  ft  re 


of  birds,  and  fifty  varieties  of  fish.  Tho  south-west 
parts,  between  Thursowatet  Hiid  Markfleet,  were  rich 
and  extensive  plains  in  the  tenth  and  eleventh  centu- 
ries before  Hecla  devastated  them,  aided  by  the 
rushing  waters  of  the  last-named  river,  which  is  now 
divided  into  three  channels.  It  took  sixty  years 
from  887  to  occupy  these  lands ;  that  is,  for  the 
landmantide  to  flow  over  them. 

Kudafliot,  the  "  Nile  of  Iceland,"  is  the  broadest 
river  on  the  island,  and  it  is  on  the  southern  slope. 

Above  Reykjahlith,  on  the  northern  border,  is  a 
very  interesting  view,  especially  in  connection  with 
the  late  volcanic  eruptions.  Looking  toward  Lake 
Myvatn,  or  gnat-water,  so  called  from  the  clouds  of 
that  stinging  insect  of  great  size,  which  infest  it  on 
sunny  days,  to  the  westward  horizon,  the  dark  waters 
spread  along  the  indented  shore,  speckled  with  lava- 
points,  or  small  islands  seamed  and  splintered  below 
the  surfpvce,  which  never  freezes  on  account  of  the 
depth  and  heat  beneath.  To  the  left  rises  Blafell,  and 
beyond,  a  field  of  sulphur  and  boiling  mud.  A  crater 
is  visible,  which  was  first  thrown  up  in  1748.  From 
mountains  in  the  distance  ran  a  river  of  fire,  nine  miles 
long  and  three  in  width.  Between  the  height  on 
which  you  stand  and  Myvatn,  lies  the  farm,  with  its 
little  church  for  the  widely  scattered  parish. 

Since  this  volume  was  published,  poor  Iceland  has 
been  visited  with  the  crowning  calamity  in  the  long 
list  of  disasters. 

The  principal  scene  of  its  outbreak  was  near  Lake 
Myvatn.  The  following  was  the  first  intelligence 
reo^ived  in  this  country  :  — 


iii':ii 


VOLCANIC  ERUPTIONS. 


351 


"  London.,  June  12.  —  About  six  weeks  ajro,  there 
was  a  heavy  rain  of  ashes  and  cinders  along  the 
northern  coast  of  Norway,  covering  the  ground  sev- 
eral inches  deep.  Investigation  revealed  the  fact 
that  these  strange  materials,  coming  from  a  north- 
westerly direction,  like  immense  clouds  through  the 
air,  were  of  volcanic  origin.  It  was  at  once  thought 
that  there  must  have  been  an  eruption  of  Mount 
Hecla  in  Iceland.  A  steamer  was  despatched  from 
Copenhagen ;  and  that  vessel  has  returned  from 
Reykjavik,  with  news  of  an  unparallelel  disaster. 
It  seems  that  the  outbreak  began  on  Cinistmas,  and 
has  continued  ever  since  with  scarce  any  interrup- 
tion. For  seven  weeks  before  Christmas,  the  inhab- 
itants were  terrified  by  subterranean  noises  like 
thunder,  which  extended  through  nearly  two-thirds 
of  the  island.  Early  in  January  followed  earth- 
quakes in  all  directions ;  and  at  last  an  old,  extinct 
volcano  near  Vatrayskud  opened,  and  for  four  weeks 
continued  to  eject  immense  quantities  of  liquid  fire, 
lava,  ashes,  and  a  muddy  fluid  mass  at  boiling  heat. 
The  village,  and  some  smaller  hamlets  and  farms 
within  a  radius  of  twenty  miles,  were  destroyed,  and 
over  a  thousand  people  had  to  flee  for  their  lives. 
:  **  After  four  weeks  this  volcano  ceased  ;  but  at  that 
moment  another  extinct  volcano,  nearly  a  hundred 
miles  away,  near  Myvatn,  sent  its  burning  mass  upon 
the  peaceful  habitations  around.  Tliis  eruption 
lasted  for  seveial  weeks,  and  the  whole  country  for 
more  than  fifty  miles  around  was  devastated.  More 
than  eight  hundred  of  the  people  are  reported  as 
having  been  rendered   homeless.     Early  in   March, 


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THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


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there  seemed  to  be  a  general  upheaval  of  the  earth 
in  the  whole  central  portion  of  the  island ;  new 
mounds,  as  it  were,  rose  to  the  surface,  some  to  a 
height  of  several  hundred  feet,  and  over  a  thousand 
feet  in  diameter  at  the  base,  amid  tremendous  shocks 
of  thundering  beneath.  They  split  open  at  the  top, 
and  vomited  forth  their  burning  contents  upon  the 
surface  around  them,  covering  a  distance  of  two 
hundred  miles.  Ten  thousand  people  are  said  to 
have  lost  nearly  all  their  possessions ;  and  the  remain- 
der, who  live  nearer  to  and  along  the  coasts,  some 
forty  thousand  in  number,  are  themselves  too  poor  to 
supp'  t  such  a  vast  number  of  needy  people.  Sev- 
eral hundred  persons  are  also  reported  to  have  per- 
ished. The  world-renowned  geysers  have  dried  up 
since  the  terrible  eruption  began ;  and,  instead  of 
water,  these  mysterious  funnels  emit  immense  quan- 
tities of  hot  smoke  and  ashes,  which  during  the 
night,  rising  several  thousand  feet  into  the  air,  ap- 
pear like  gigantic  columns  of  flameless  fire,  visible 
for  hundreds  of  miles.  It  is  said  that  no  historic 
record  of  any  volcanic  eruption  anj^where  in  the 
world  compares  with  this,  either  in  territory  over 
which  it  extends,  the  number  of  newly-opened  cra- 
ters, or  the  time  of  its  duration.  The  Copenhagen 
Government  has  issued  an  appeal  for  aid  to  the  suf- 
ferers." 

The  rumor  that  Icelanders  will  abandon  the  island 
has  no  foundation  in  any  action  taken  by  them,  or 
expressed  determination ;  their  attachment  to  their 
rent  and  often  rocking  plains  is  too  strong  to  yield 


LETTER  FROM  PROF.   BJARNASON. 


353 


now,  in  the  wake  o**  the  last  terrific  visitation.  The 
emigration  may  increase^  in  connection  with  the  favor- 
able imj)ressions  of  Alaska  made  by  the  late  survey 
of  a  delegation  sent  thei  -,  and  the  nucleus  already 
formed  by  Scandinavian  settlers  at  the  West.  But 
nowhere  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  is  the  love  of  coun- 
try more  intense,  than  among  the  almost  hermit  pop- 
ulation of  the  arc  lie  isle. 

We  have  just  received  the  following  letter  from 
Prof.  Bjarnason,  upon  the  eruptions,  which  is  an 
interesting  summary  of  the  present  condition  of  the 
island  so  far  as  known  here : — 

Decorah,  June  25,  1875. 
Dear  Sir,  —  Your  kind  letter  I  must  answer  with  giving 
you  some  short  statements  of  the  volcanic  catastrophes  in  Ice- 
land as  far  as  known  to  me.     Withii.  a  few  days  before  receiv- 
ing your  letter,  I  read  in  a  newspaper  a  correspondence  from 
London,  dated  12th  inst.,  which  contained  some  terrible  news 
from  Iceland,  far  surpassing  those  news   of  the  same  kind   I 
previously  had  got.     I  suppose  the  awful  accounts  you  speak 
of  must  be  all  the  same.    I  have  a  letter  from  a  count'*)-  man  of 
mine  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  dated  3d  instant ;  and  then  he 
had  not  heard  of  any  later  calamity  at  home,  than  that  con- 
tained in  my  last  letters  from  Iceland,  which  were  written  on 
8th  of  May.     I  therefore  hope  that  ail  that  in  the  London  corre- 
spondence, which  does  not  coincide  with  the  accounts  I  have 
directly  from  Iceland,  is  only  an   exaggeration  of  the  truth  ; 
which,  indeed,  in  itself  is  very  sad.     The  Icelandic  statements 
are  as  follows  :  The  present  volcanic  eruptions  in  Iceland  began 
this  winter,    rl:)out  Christmas,  before  which  time  eartlujuakc^ 
were  observed  in  the  northern  quarter  of  the  country  from  the 
Skagaiiord  to  the  southern  tracts  of  Miilasysla.     Being  aware 
of  the  smoke  from  the  volcanic  fire,  people  first  did  not  know 
the  exa<jt  place  of  its  beginning.     Later  there  were  made  inves- 
tigations on  the  fatal  territory  by  some  inhabitaiits  of  its  next 
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THE   ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


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vicinity,  who  found  out  that  the  subterranean  fire  had  broken 
out  on  two  distant  places.  At  the  north  sida  of  the  great  ice- 
desert,  the  famous  Vatnajokul,  there  extends  a  vast  tract  of 
considerable  height,  widely  dispersed  with  elevated  lava  masses 
or  high  mounds  of  burned  stone  substances,  the  common  name 
of  which  is  Odadahraun.  This  word  means  lava-tract  (hraun) 
of  misdeeds  (odada  gen.  pi.  of  6dad).  In  the  southern  part  of 
this  vast  tract,  which  is  quite  uninhabited,  there  is  a  group  of 
mountain  ranges,  forming  on  elliptic  circle  ;  on  account  of  tlieir 
forms  called  Askja,  which  means  an  oblong  round  box.  Within 
the  basin  included  by  those  mountains,  one  of  the  said  subter- 
raneous fire-openings  was  found  to  be  situated;  there  was 
namely  a  great  crater  and  some  smaller  ones,  emitting  consid- 
erable quantity  of  burned  lava  and  asbes.  The  eastern  part  of 
Odadahraun  is  continued  in  northerly  direction  by  a  level  sand- 
tract,  on  many  places  with  a  substratum  of  volcanic  origin, 
commonly  c  Uled  My  vatnsorxfi  (the  desert  of  the  gnat's  lake), 
bordered  on  t'  ewest  side  by  an  inhabited  oasis  called  Myvatns- 
sveit  (the  tract  of  the  gnat's  lake),  round  the  Lake  llyvatn, 
and  on  the  east  side  by  tlie  Jokulsa  on  the  highlands,  farther 
down  called  Jokulsa  ia  the  Axarfiord,  the  length  of  which 
river  surpasses  that  of  any  other  in  Iceland.  On  this  sand- 
tract  the  place  cf  the  other  great  fire-opening  is  situated  ;  and 
it  is  said  to  have  emitted  much  more  quantity  of  lava  than  the 
other.  Until  the  29th  of  March  (Easter  Monday)  nothing  was 
heard  of  devastations  in  the  inhabited  tracts  of  the  country  of 
any  importance.  People  only  were  anxious  lest  the  moun- 
tain pastures  in  the  Thingeyjarsysla  should  be  destroyed  by  the 
volcanic  ashes.  But  on  the  said  day  there  poured  from  the 
atmosphere  a  great  rarn-shower  of  ashes  over  the  best  parts  of 
Mulasysla,  viz.,  the  Upper  Jokuldal  and  the  great  Fljotsdals- 
hferad,  which  is  located  on  both  sides  of  the  River  Lagarfljot 
and  its  tributaries.  In  a  moment  this  vast  region,  which  is  one 
of  the  best  farming  districts  of  the  country,  was  covered  with 
a  three-inches-deep  layer  of  ashes,  of  course  totally  ruining 
the  pasturage  of  that  whole  territory,  at  least  for  the  present. 
At  the  same  time  it  is  stated  that  there  suddenly  arose  some 
volcanic  craters  in  the  vicinity  of  the  noterl  farm  Modrudal, 
wholly  laying  it  waste ;  and  another  thriving  farm  too,  named 


■wsi 


SPORT. 


355 


Grimsstadir,  in  five  geographical  miles'  distance  from  the 
former.  Both  were  situated  in  the  highland  plain  ^ast  af  tlie 
before-named  River  Jokulsd.  The  vapt  pasture-land  belonging 
to  the  said  fai'ms  is  said  to  be  covered  on  many  places  with  a 
pumice  layer  of  some  yards  depth.  That  the  rain  of  the  ashes 
has  caused  ruin  and  desolation  in  some  other  places  is  to  be 
feared;  but  as  yet  I  have  got  no  information  directly  from  lo  i- 
land  of  any  thing  else,  except  that  the  newspaper  "  Isafold,"  of 
almost  the  same  date  as  my  last  letters,  states  that  an  eruptir  n 
probably  has  taken  place  in  th"  southern  part  of  VatnajOkul, 
far  from  the  above-mentioned  places ;  great  clouds  of  volcanic 
smoke  having  been  seen  in  that  direction  from  the  Rangarvellir 
(the  Plains  of  Ranga)  and  many  other  farming  districts  of 
Southern  Iceland. 

These  statements  are  quite  reliable  in  their  details.  When- 
ever I  have  got  any  further  accounts  of  the  calamity,  caused  by 
this  dreadful  eruption,  I  shall  with  pleasure  write  to  y^u. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

Jon  BjARNAgoN. 


To  the  sportsman  who  is  not  of  delicate  constitu- 
tion, nor  nice  about  accommcdations,  Iceland  is  a 
paradise.  There  are  reindeer,  the  white  and  blue 
fox,  wild  fowL  and  fish.  At  Myvatn,  fifty  brace  of 
the  ptarmigan  have  been  "  bagged  "  in  a  single  day. 

The  fisliing  is  nowhere  surpassed,  and  is  free  to 
any  one  "  who  cares  to  pursue  the  gentle  craft." 
Disciples  of  Izaak  Walton  have  "  killed  nineteen  fish 
in  three  hours,  weighing  thirty-nine  pounds."  Sal- 
mon, trout,  and  char  are  favorite  game,  and  may  be 
caught  with  minnows  and  flies  ;  of  the  latter,  the 
grilse  is  the  best. 

Expenses  of  travelling  in  Icelard  will  vary,  as 
everywhere,  according  to  one's  means,  and  the  free- 
dom with  which  they  are  expended,  but  will  scarcely 


WPP" 


K'n 


356 


THE  ISLAND   OF  FIRE. 


(all  below  three  dollars  per  day.  The  ponies  may  be 
purchased  or  hired,  the  latter  method  being  the  least 
expensive,  if  well  managed. 

Baring-Gould's  routes  of  travel  during  the  months 
of  June  and  July,  1862,  were  as  follows :  — 

From  Reykjavik  to  Mosfell,  Thingvalla  to  the  Gey- 
sers, and  back  to  Thingvalla;  thence  to  Kalman- 
stunga  along  the  broad  valley  of  Armansfell,  in  sight 
of  Broadshield  and  Graetland  Jokuls  and  By  Ok, 
where  is  the  wildest  desolation.  From  Kalman- 
stunga,  he  passed  Eagle  Tarns,  stopping  at  a  farm  of 
twenty  square  miles,,  which  the  proprietor  rented  for 
9X  10«.  per  year.  Thence  he  pursued  the  route  to 
Arkeureyri  and  Detifoss,  Iceland's  grandest  cataract ; 
when,  retracing  his  steps  to  Holar,  he  travelled  along 
the  north-western  coast,  and  returned  southward  by 
Bjarg  to  Reykjavik.  This  route  takes  in  Sturtshel- 
lir,  Oxnadals,  and  Bulanshofdi  pass. 

Some  of  the  necessary  items  of  travel  are  plenty 
of  small  change,  and  but  little  baggage. 

He  says  of  his  farewell,  "  I  was  sorry  to  leave 
Iceland,  for  I  had  spent  many  happy  days  in  it,  and 
had  learned  to  feel  a  very  strong  attachment  to  the 
wildly  beautiful  island." 

Commander  Forbes,  R.  N.,  closes  his  annals  with 
similar  expressions  of  admiring  interest :  "  Though 
my  sojourn  in  the  far  North  may  be  only  reckoned 
by  weeks,  the  open-hearted  hospitality  which  every- 
wliere  welcomed  me,  from  the  governor  to  the  peas- 
ant, had  converted  those  weeks  into  years,  as  regards 
identifying  myself  with  -their  island-home,  and  the 
many  sympathies  which  their  peculiar  position   do- 


FAREWELL   TO  ICELAND 


367 


mands.  For,  in  world-wide  experience  of  wandering 
by  sea  and  land,  I  have  seldom  met  a  community  less 
''nfluenced  by  ulterior  objects,  or  whose  innate  ingen- 
uousness more  commended  itself  at  first  sight;  for 
their  veiy  weaknesses  desei/e  to  be  tenderly  con- 
sidered, and  certainly,  as  a  Britisher,  I  felt  no  right 
to  thro  y  stones.  And  it  was  with  feelings  of  poign- 
ant regret  that  I  mechanically  followed  my  portman- 
teau to  the  steamer,  and  turned  my  back  on  Iceland." 
Writes  Prof.  Paijkill,  "And  so  I  bade  farewell 
to  Iceland.  A  few  blue  tints  in  the  now  scarcely 
discernible  outlines  of  the  distant  fells  was  the  last 
impression  I  received  of  a  country  that  had  become 
60  inexpressibly  endeared  to  me." 


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YOUNG  FOLKS'  HEROES  OF  HISTORY. 

B>  GEORGE   MAKEPEACE  TOWLE. 
Ilandaumuly  IliuMtrated.    Price  p^r  vol.,  f  1.2&.    Beta  in  nuat  bozM. 

VASCODAGAMA; 

HIS     VOYAGES     AN.       ADVENTURES 
"  Tin  Gnmii'H  hiHtoiy  Ih  full  uf  Htrikiiiif  .idvcntiirt'M,  tlirlllini;  Incident*,  aim! 
pcrliuii*'  HitmitionH;  niid  Mr.  Towlo,  wiiiiu  not  micrlHclnif  liiMtorlcal  Hccumcy. 
oaH  HO  eltilfully  iiHc-<i  Mh  Diateriulii,tliut  wu  have  ucbariuingly  rumautic  tato," 
—  /tural  Jfew-  Yorker. 

PIZ  ARRO: 

HIS  ADVENTURES  AND  CONQUESTS. 
"  No  'uTo  of  romance  poHsesHes  t^routor  power  to  charm  tlie  yontliful  reader 
than  the  conqueror  of  I'eru.  N(^l  even  Kln^  .\rtliur,  or  'I'huddeun  of  War- 
saw, liiiH  tile  powt-r  to  captivate  thu  iniaKinatlon  of  tlie  Krowing  boy.  Mr. 
Towie  liaH  liaudled  liio  Hubject  in  a  KJowini^  but  trutliful  manner;  and  we 
venture  tlie  ii(«i»c'rtl<)n,  lluit,  we-e  our  clilldren  led  to  read  «ueli  hookM  aw  tills, 
thu  taxte  for  unwiioleHonie,  exciting,  wroiiK-teuciiinK  l)<)yM'  books  — dime 
Hovels  In  l)ooki«*clotliing — would  be  greatly  diminiMlied,  to  tlie  great  gain  of 
mental  force  and  moral  purpose  In  the  rluing  generailon." — Chivui/o  Ailiunce. 

M AGBLLA  N; 

OR,  THE    FIRST    VOYAGE    ROUND    THE    WORLD. 

*' Wliftt  more  (>f  romantic  and  spirited  adventures  any  briglit  boy  could 
want  than  Ik  to  be  found  in  this  series  of  liUtorical  biography,  It  is  dilllcult 
to  imagine.  'I'his  volume  is  written  in  a  most  sprightly  manner;  and  the 
life  of  its  liero,  Kernan  Magellan,  with  its  rapid  stride  from  the  softiiess  of 
a  petted  youtli  to  tlie  sturdy  courage  and  persevering  fortitude  of  uianbuod| 
makes  a  tale  of  marvellous  fascination." —  VArintinn  Union. 

MARCO     POLO: 

HTS  TRAVELS  AND  ADVENTURES. 
"  The  story  of  tlie  adventurous  Venetian,  who  six  Imndred  years  ago  pene^ 
trated  into  India  and  Cathay  and  TliHtet  and  AbysNinia,  is  pleasantly  and 
clearly  told;  and  nothing  bette-  nan  be  put  into  the  liands  of  llie  scliool  boy 
or  girl  tiian  this  series  of  tlie  rec  t-ds  or  noted  travellers.  The  lieroism  dis. 
played  by  tliese  men  was  certainly  in  great  as  tliat  ever  siiown  by  conqueriij^f 
■warrior;  and  it  was  e.xercised  in  a  far  nobler  cause,  —  tlie  cause  of  knowledgu 
and  discovery,  which  has  made  the  nineteenth  century  what  it  is."  —  (Jrapldc. 

RALEGH: 

HIS     EXPLOITS     AND     VOYAGES. 

"This  belongs  to  the  '  Young  Folks'  Heroes  of  History  '  series,  and  deals 
•witli  a  greater  and  more  interesting  man  than  any  of  its  predecessors.  With 
ail  tlie  black  spots  on  his  fame,  there  are  few  more  brilliant  and  striking 
figures  in  Kiiglish  history  than  the  soldier,  sailor,  courtier,  author,  and  ex- 
plorer. Sir  Walter  llalegh.  Even  at  this  distance  of  time,  more  than  two 
hundred  am!  titty  years  after  his  head  fell  on  Jhe  scaflbld,  we  cannot  read  hi? 
Btoiy  wiiliout  emotion.  It  is  graphically  written,  and  is  pleasant  reading, 
Rot  only  for  young  folks,  but  for  old  folKs  with  young  hearts."  —  Womatv» 
Jouniui. 

DRAKE: 

THE    SEA-LION    OF    DEVON. 
Drake  was  the  foremost  sea-captain  of  ills  age,  the  first  Kiglish  admiral 
to   send  a   ship  completely  round  tlie  world,  the  hero  of  the  magnificent 
victory  wliich  the  Knglish  won  over  the  Invincible  Armada.     Ills  career  was 
atirring,  bold,  and  adventurous,  from  early  youth  to  old  age. 

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/i 


^111 


DRIFTING    ROUND   THE  WORLD  ;    A  Boy's  Adven- 
tures by  Oea  and  Land.     Hy  ('apt.  Chaui.kh  W.  IIai.i., 
author  of  "  Adrift  111  the  ki- Klcl(!n,"  " The  (J rt-at  lioiiunza,"  olc. 
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and  deHcriptiuiiH  of  life  in  (Greenland,  I.at)rudor,  Ireland,  Kcotlarid,  EiiK* 
land,  !<Vaiicr,  Holland,  KuHHla,  Ania,  Hiberla,  and  Alanka.     Ito  hero   Is 
yoiini^,  bold,  and  iikdventurous;  and  the  book  it)  iu  every  way  Interesting 
and  attractive. 

EDWARD  GRE^Y'S  JAPANESE   SERIES. 

YOUNG  AMERICANS  IN  JAPAN  ;  or,  The  Adventures 
of  the  Jewett  Family  and  their  Friend  Oto  Nambo. 

With  170  full-puge  and  letter -preHH  llltiKtrHtioiiH.     Koyal  8vo,  7  x  l4 
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IKold,  $2.50. 
ThiK  Htory,  though  enRentinlly  a  work  of  fiction,  !h  filled  with  intcrcHt< 

Inland  trutliful  deHcriotloim  of  the'euriouH  waya  of  living  of  the  good 

people  of  the  land  of  the  rlHing  buu. 

THE   WONDERFUL   CITY   OF  TOKIO ;  or,  The  Fur- 
ther Adventures  of  the  Jewett  Family  and  their 
Friend   Oto    Nambo-    W'lih  im»  illiiBtratiouM.    Koyal  8vo, 
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••A  book  full  of  delightful  Information.    The  author  has  the  happy 

gift  of  permitting  the  reader  to  vie    thingH  as  he  naw  them.     The  illu«- 

trationn  are  moHtly  drawn  by  a  JapancHC  ai  tiHt,  and  are  very  unique.  "  -• 

Chicago  //era Id. 

THE  BEAR  WORSHIPPERS  OF  YEZO  AND  THB 
ISLAND  OF  KARAFUTO  ;  being  the  further  Ad- 
ventures of  the  Jewett  Family  and  their  Friend 

Oto    Nambo.     iSO  llUmtrutionrt.     Hoardn.     $1.75.    Cloth,  $2.50. 

Gmphie  pen  and  pencil  pictureH  of  the  remarkable  Itearded  "people  who 

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artiHtH,  and  give  queer  plctu.'ca  of  a  queer  people,  who  have  been  tieldom 

Visited. 

HARRY  W.   FRENCH'S   BOOKS. 

OUR  BOYS  IN  INDIA.  The  wanderings  of  two  young  Americana 
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The  illustrations  are  many  and  excellent. 

OUR   BOYS    IN    CHINA.    The  adventures  of  two  young  Amerf. 

cans,  wrecked  in  the  (Jhina  Sea  on  their  return  from  India,  with 

their  strange  wanderings  through  the  Chinese  Em|)lre.     188  illus. 

trations.    Boards,  ornamental  covera  in  colors  and  gold.    $1.75. 

Cioth,  $2.50. 
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BUT  A  PHILISTINE 
••  Another  novel  bj'  th«  author  of  '  A  Woma.i'i.  Won!  •  and  •  T^nol 
Dai«.'  will  be  warmly  wolcorned  by  hostH  of  n-aderii  of  Mlw  Townwnd'i 
•lOiieH.  There  lit  nothing  of  the  '  f)i'n><ational,'  or  po-cullod  ;oallHtlo, 
Rchool  In  her  wrltluKn.  On  the  contrary,  they  are  iiotot)  for  their  healthj 
moral  tone  and  pure  Hentiment,  and  yet  are  not  wanllnf<  in  btkikinq 

•  ITUATION8   AND   DItAMATIC    INCIDENTS."  —  C'AlCa^O  t/OMrnn/. 

LENOX  DAKB. 
"Her  Htorleti,  alway*  nnnny  nnd  healthful,  touch  the  xprlnirx  of  social 
Hfe,  and  make  tlie  reader  better  acquainted  with  tlilH  grunt  burnt,  orgniii- 
zation  of  which  we  nil  form  a  part,  mid  tend  to  bring  him  Into  more  Inli- 
mate  sympathy  with  what  1h  mont  pure  and  noble  In  our  imtnro.  Amo  ig 
the  bent  of  her  productionH  wu  place  the  volume  here  under  otb.M.  la 
t?m(>er  and  tone  the  volume  In  calculuUtd  to  exert  •  healthful  and 
«levkiiug  Influence."  —  Ifetc-England  Jfethotliat. 

D ARYLL  GAP ;  or,  Whetner  it  Paid. 
A  Ptory  of  the  petroleum  daytt,  and  of  a  family  who  Btnick  oil. 
"Miss  Townsend  in  a  very  entertaining  writer,  and,  while  Mhe  enter- 
t»in«,  at  the  same  time  InBtnicti*.  !Icr  plota  are  well  arrniiKed,  und  her 
eharacterti  are  clearly  and  strongly  drawn.  The  present  volume  will  iu>t 
detract  from  the  rei>utatiou  buo  has  heretofore  enjoyed."  —  Pillnbiitg 
Xetorder. 

A  WOMAN'S  WORD,  AND  HOW  SHE  KEPT  IT. 
"The  celebrity  of  Virginia  F.  Townwend  as  an  authoress,  her  brilliant 
descriptive  powers,  and  pure,  vigorous  imngiimtlon,  will  Injure  a  hearty 
welcome  for  the  above-eiititle<l  volume  in  the  writer's  hiippiest  vein. 
Every  woman  will  undorstnnrt  the  self-sacrlflcc  of  Genevieve  Wei'-,  and 
will  entertain  only  scorn  for  the  miserable  man  who  iinblttered  her  life 
to  hide  hlri  own  wrongdoing."— /'a«A/on  Quarterly. 

THAT   QUEER   GIRL. 

"  A  fresh,  wholesome  book  almut  go(xl  men  and  good  women,  bright 
and  cheery  in  stvie,  and  pure  in  raoiuls.  Just  the  l)0()k  to  take  a  young 
girl's  fancy,  and  hein  hor  to  grow  i ;),  like  Maiieliiie  and  Argia,  into  the 
sweetness  of  real  girlhood;  the""  '"ing  more  of  that  same  swcftnerMt 
under  the  fuss  and  feath:;rs  of  tk..  present  day  than  u  casual  obavrvw 
mi(;hl  suppose."  —  People'n  Munlhly. 

ONLY   GIRLS. 

"This  volume  shows  how  two  persons, ' only  girls,*  saved  two  men 
from  crime,  even  from  ruin  of  body  and  soul ;  and  all  t'lis  came  alMiiit  in 
their  lives  without  theli  purpose  or  knowledge  at  the  time,  and  liot  at  all 
as  they  or  anybody  else  would  have  planned  it;  but  li  comes  about  weli 
and  naturally  enough.  The  story  is  ingenious  and  graphic,  and  kept  tha 
wrlttfv  of  this  notice  up  far  into  the  8m.ill  hours  of  yesteiduy  monilug." 
—  Washington  Chronicle. 


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HARRY  W.  FRENCH'S  BOOKS. 


III 


to  r 


THE  ONLY  ONE.    A  Novel.    16mo.    Cloth.    $1.00. 

•'The  Only  One"  in  a  powerful  Btory,  dialiiiK  with  the  llRhtfi  JmcJ 
iShadows  of  life  in  America,  Najjlen,  and  Persia.  Written  in  a  daMluu^f 
Btyle,  Bomelimes  deeply  tragic,  at  others  humorous  in  the  extreme,  it 
prcKontH  pictureH  of  iiamau  life  that  attract  and  intereHt  by  their  iiatural- 
nesB  and  vivid  ueHH. 

CASTLE  FOAM;  or,  The  Fauper  Prince.  A  story  of  real 
life,  true  love,  and  intrigue  in  tne  b.illiant  capital  of  Prusnia. 
]2mo.    *1..50. 

-'A  novel  of  remarkable  power,  and  strangely  unlike  any  yet  written 
by  an  American.     There  in  something  in  the  beauty  and  intensity  of 
expression  that  reminds  one  of  Bulwer  iu  his  bent  days." —  (Jintinnatl 
(Jummfrciul. 
NUNA,   THE   BRAMIN    GIRL.    16mo.    Cloth.    $1.2&. 

•'  This  book  is  beautifully  written,  and  abounds  in  novel  and  dra.uatlc 
inciilents."  —  :Si.  Loitiii  Globe  Democrdt^ 

EGO,  The  Life  Struggles  of  Lawrence  Edwards,    lomo. 

Cloth.    *1.00. 
"Both  an  interesting  and  an  exciting  work,  written  with  freedom, 
effectiveness,  and  power."  —  PniuKhlphin  Item. 

GEMS    OP    GENIUS,    ^to.    Illuminated  covers.    Gilt.     f2.00. 

"Fifty  full  page  illustrations,  selected  from  the  art- works  of  as  many 
foreign  painters,  with  text  de.hcriplive  of  each,  f re  m  the  pen  of  oue  of 
uur  ui.tive  lluskins."  —  AV/r-  York  Mail. 

ART    AND    ARTISTS.     A  liintory  of  the  birth  of  art  in  .Vmorica, 

with  biographical  Mtiulies  of  ma:iy  prominent  Amei'ican  artists,  and 

nearly  one  hundred  illns.  from  their  studios.    Cloth.    Gilt.    $.'5.00. 

"A  work  that  will  grow  in  value  every  year,  showing  the  most  pitieiit 

research  and  elaboration,  skilfully  executed,  and  admirably  worked  up. 

An  honor  to  the  author,  an  hoiii.r  to  the  publishers,  an  honor  to  the 

country."  —  A'^i'W  ■  York  Kiu'nhig  Pout, 

OUR  BOYS  IN  INDIA.    The  wanderings  of  two  young  Americans 

in  llindustiin,  with  thtlr  exciting  adventures  on  the  sacred  rivers 

and  wild  mountains.     With  1 1'j  illustrations.     Royal  octavo,  7  x  Oj 

inches.     Hound  in  embleniatiial  covers  of  Oriental  design,  s?!.?;"). 

'      Cloth,  black  and  gold,  ij<i.>0. 

A  new  edition  of  the  nio-il  popular  of  books  of  travel  for  yonng  folks. 
Issued  last  season.  While  it  han  all  the  exciting  interest  of  a  romance, 
It  is  remarkably  vivid  in  its  pictures  of  manners  and  customs  in  the  land 
of  the  Hindu.    'I'lie  llkHtrations  are  many  and  excellent. 

OUR   BOYS    TN    CHINA.    The  adventures  of  two  young  Ameri- 
cans, v,'recke(l  in  the  China  Reu  on  their  return  from  India,  with 
their  strange  w.iiderlngs  through  the  Chinese  Kmpire.     IMS  Illus- 
trations.     Hoards,  ornamental  covers  in   colors  and  gold,  $1.75. 
Cloth,  f2.-'>0. 
After  successfully  starling  the  young  heroes  of  his  previous  book, 
"Our  Boys  in   India,"  on   their  honieuard  trip,  the  |)Oj)ular  lecturer, 
extensive  traveller,  and  remarkalile  story-teller,  ha«  theni  wrecked  in  the 
China  Hea,  saved,  and  transported  across  China;  giving  him  an  opportu- 
nity to  spread  for  young  folks  an  appeli/iiig  feast  of  good  things. 


Sold  by  all  boGkaellers,  and  Kent  by  mail,  postpaid,  on  receipt  o/  price, 

LEE  &  SHEPARD,  Publishers,  Boston. 


COMPANIONS  OF  "SEVEN  LITTLE  SISTERS." 

TEN    BOYS 

WHO  LIVED  ON  THE  ROAD  FROM  LONG  AGO  TO 

NOW.  • 


BY      JANE    ANDRE"WS. 


AUTHOR    OP    "SEVEN    LITTLE    SISTEKS,"    "THE     fc'EVEN    LITTLE     SISTERS 
PROVE   THEIR  SISTERHOOD,"    "  QEOQRAPHICAL   PLAYS,"  ETC. 

Cloth.    Twenty  Illustrations. 

INTRODUCING  THE   STORIES  OF 

Kab/u,  the  Aryan  Boy.  who  came  down  to  the  plains  of  the  Indus. 

Darius,  the  Persian  Boy,  who  knew  about  Zoroaster. 

Cleon,  the  Greek  Boy.  who  ran  at  the  Olympic  Games. 

Horatius,  the  Roman  Boy,  whose  ancestor  kept  the  bridge  so  well. 

Wulf  the  Saxon  Boy.  who  helped  to  make  England. 

Gilbert,  the  Page,  who  will  one  day  become  a  Knight. 

Roger,  the  English  Lnd,  who  longed  to  sail  the  Spanish  Main. 

Ezekiel  Fuller,  the  ,  uritan  Boy. 

Jonathan  Dawson,  the  Yankee  Boy. 

Frank  Wilson,  the  Boy  of  1885. 

And  giving  much  entertaining  and  instrnctivo  reading  on  the 
manners  and  customs  of  the  different  nations  from  the  Aryan 
age  to  now. 

The  same  pleasing  way  of  inculcating  facts  relative  to  the  sev- 
eral races,  tljcir  modes  of  life  and  action,  is  again,  in  this  book, 
brought  into  use  by  the  author  of  "Tlie  Seven  Little  Sisters." 
The  hoys  selected  are  types  of  the  various  races,  and  it  will 
prove  interesting  to  the  young  reader  to  learn  how  these  boya 
lived. 

Price  80  cents  net. 


LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  Publishers,  Boston. 

I 


i!  ; 


The  Fobes  Handbooks  of  Elocution. 


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FIYE-MIKUTE    DEOLAMATIOIS'S. 

For  Schools   and  Colleges.    Selected  and  adapted  by  WALTER  K.  FOBES, 
Principal  of  the  Boston  School  of  Elocution.     Cloth,  50  cents. 

"  We  have  never  before  Been  packed  In  so  Hmall  a  cornpaso,  bo  mnch  that 
may  be  considered  really  representative  of  the  higher  class  of  oratory.  We 
have  here  presented  the  ulteraitces  of  Webster,  of  I'hiilipH,  of  I^iiicoln,  of 
Everett,  of  Wlnthrop,  of  Choate,  of  Bhiel,  of  Emmett  and  Burke,  and  of 
others  hardly  less  famous.  Ther<j  is,  to  use  the  words  of  the  compiler, 
•  not  a  dead  piece  in  the  bcok.'  "  — Bonton  Trunxcrint. 

'*  This  is  a  bandy  volume,  well  printed,  sontaininy  one  hundred  selec- 
tions from  the  speeches  of  the  greatest  English,  Irish,  and  American  ora- 
tors, eiich  of  which  will  require  no  more  than  five  minutea  to  speak.  It 
should  be  welcomed  iu  the  schools."  —  Chicago  Current. 


FIVE-MINUTE   RECITATIOITS. 

For  Schools  and  Colleges.    Selected  and  adapted  by  WALTER   K.  FOBES, 
Teacher  of  Elocution  and  Public  Reader.     Cloth,  60  cents. 

"  The  object  of  the  book,  as  can  i)e  seen  by  the  title,  is  to  gather  standard 
Belections  that  can  i*e  recited  in  five  minutes.  This  is  now  the  time  allotted 
to  each  8|)eaker  in  our  schools  and  colleges,  and  tiiis  book  will  therefore 
meet  a  want  long  felt.  The  compiler  is  a  teacher  of  elocution,  of  long 
experience;  and  In  abridging  eloquent  extracts  within  tlie  allotted  five  min- 
utes he  is  very  successful."  —  Bonton  Journal  of  Commerce. 

"  The  selections  are,  for  the  most  part,  standard  ones,  but  many  of  them 
are  bo  well  arranged  and  adapted,  in  order  to  bi-ing  them  within  th'i  pre- 
scribed limif.  that  they  produce  quite  a  new  effect  as  delivered."  —  i/os/on 
Beuc(,n. 

"  Tliere  are  over  a  hundred  selections  in  prose  and  poetry,  with  not  a 
•dead-wood'  piece  amoi.g  them.  It  will  be  a  valuable  companion  for  any 
occasion  where  recitation  is  to  be  introduced."  —  Bunion  ILmie  Journal. 


ELOOUTIOlsr   SIMPLIFIED ; 

With  an  Appendix  on  Lisping,  Stammering,  Stuttering,  and  other  defects 

of  Speech.    By   WALTER  K.  FOBES,  Graduate  of  Boston  University 

School  of  Oratory.    Price,  60  cents  cloth,  30  cents  paper. 

"  A  book  treating  this  subject  within  a  limited  space,  and  bringing  it  within 
the  comi)rehension  of  the  novice  ano  amateur  of  the  art,  is  certainly  needed. 
We  believe  that  thin  is  just  such  a  wcvk.  It  is  an  epilome  of  the  science  of 
elocution.  The  part  devoted  to  phyf.  i;:al  gymna^'tics  is  truly  hygienic,  and 
no  student  can  follow  the  rules  herein  laid  down,  and  not  find  liimself  im- 
proved in  body  and  mi:id."  —  Normal  Teacher,  Danville,  Ind. 

"This  little  manual  seems  to  combine  nearly  all  the  essentials  of  a  course 
in  elocution.  Mr.  Kol)es  lia«  the  advantage  of  the  best  training,  and  that  in 
two  or  three  different  schools.  The  physiological  suggestions  are  valuable, 
and  in  that  respect  ♦be  book  Is  a  kind  of  a  missionary  for  the  good  of 
humanity.  It  seems  lo  us  *hat  all  the  textual  instruction  which  the  average 
Btudent  would  need  is  comp.  >hei\ded  within  the  covers  of  this  volume."  — 
ifew-  York  Phrenologist. 

Sold  by  all  booksellers,  and  sent  by  mall,  postpaid,  r-  receipt  of  price. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  Publishers,  Boston. 


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